Tottenham’s dream XI for next season has seven new stars in £450m transfer spend

Jul 8, 2026 - 10:00
Tottenham’s dream XI for next season has seven new stars in £450m transfer spend

If there’s one thing Tottenham have shown us this summer, it’s that they mean business heading into the new season.

After narrowly avoiding relegation last term, Spurs have splashed the cash in the transfer window as they look to bounce back from back-to-back 17th-place finishes.

Sandro Tonali poses with his Tottenham Hotspur shirt after signing from Newcastle United
Sandro Tonali is Tottenham’s latest marquee signing
Tottenham Hotspur FC

Having been appointed in March with the sole task of keeping the north London side in the Premier League, Roberto De Zerbi managed to do exactly that.

And after delivering on his first mission, the Argentine has now been backed heavily ahead of his first full season in charge.

Spurs made a statement of intent by snapping up defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for a fee of £52million.

This was just the start of their summer spending, as Mateus Fernandes then joined for a club-record £85m from relegated West Ham.

The huge sum didn’t stay long at the top of Tottenham’s transfer list, though, after Sandro Tonali moved south in a £100m deal.

As things stand, this leaves Spurs’ summer spree at a huge £237m, making them the Premier League’s biggest spenders this summer.

That’s without mentioning a number of shrewd additions, which also includes the arrivals of free agents Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka.

With Tottenham’s recruitment showing no signs of slowing down, we’ve taken a look at how they could line up in the upcoming season if they continue to land the hottest properties.

Goalkeeper debate settled

After plenty of speculation over Tottenham’s goalkeeping situation, Antonin Kinsky now looks set to keep hold of the no.1 jersey.

The position became a hot topic in the second half of the season, as responsibilities were shared between the Czech and Guglielmo Vicario.

Antonin Kinsky
Kinsky made ten appearances in a rollercoaster 2025/26 campaign
Getty

Kinsky was written off after a disastrous 17-minutes in the Champions League, but bounced back to play a key role in Spurs’ survival.

And while Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen was tipped for a reunion with De Zerbi, talkSPORT now understands he is expected to stay at the Seagulls for another year, leaving Kinsky likely to remain in goal.

New-look back line

Defence is the first area where fans can expect to see some changes, with Spurs already snapping up three new faces.

At left-back, Andy Robertson looks set to muscle in ahead of Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence after his recent arrival from Liverpool.

Having become famed for his tireless running up and down the left flank, the Scotland captain will look to use his title-winning experience to push Spurs up the table.

While Senesi makes up one of their new additions at centre-back, the ex-Bournemouth star isn’t in talkSPORT’s starting XI, with Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke the likely centre-back pairing.

Jan Paul van Hecke celebrates a Brighton win
Van Hecke will slot straight into Tottenham’s backline alongside international teammate Van de Ven
Getty
Andy Robertson reacts after a Liverpool game
Robertson bid farewell to Liverpool after a trophy-laden nine years at Anfield
AFP

After being reunited with former Brighton boss De Zerbi, Van Hecke is expected to take Cristian Romero’s place in the back four.

At right-back, mainstay Pedro Porro will keep his shirt, having signed a new deal to keep him in north London until 2031.

Big-money midfield

There are two spots in Tottenham’s midfield surely pick themselves, with Tonali and Fernandes primed to be their anchors in the centre of the park.

The pair of big-money signings have been lined up to replace their previous available options, with Lucas Bergvall, Conor Gallagher Rodrigo Bentancur likely to lose their starting roles.

Tonali made 110 appearances in his three years at Newcastle, helping them to Carabao Cup glory and Champions League qualification along the way.

Meanwhile, Fernandes will offer control and ball-winning ability in a Spurs midfield that was often outbattled last term.

Mateus Fernandes joins Tottenham
Spurs beat off competition from Manchester United to secure Fernandes’ signature
Shutterstock Editorial
James Maddison
James Maddison recorded nine goals and provided seven assists in the 2024/25 Premier League season, before an ACL injury ruled him out of most of last season
Getty

And a familiar face can be expected just ahead of them, as James Maddison prepares for a comeback season in the no.10 role.

The Englishman established himself as Tottenham’s leading creative outlet in his first two years in north London, before an ACL injury ruled him out of almost all of the 2025/26 campaign, but can expect to return here after Xavi Simons suffered the same injury.

Title winner in attack?

While Spurs are yet to strengthen in attack, fans will be licking their lips at the prospect, with the potential for a complete overhaul.

Tottenham struggled for firepower up front in the 2025/26 campaign, as Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke failed to produce on a consistent basis.

But proven goals could be on their way, with Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo understood to be of interest to the north Londoners, but at a price likely to be around at least £70m.

If Spurs do stump up, the Dutchman would go straight in on the left wing, having scored nine goals in 52 appearances last term.

Eli Junior Kroupi
Eli Junior Kroupi Kroupi broke the Premier League record for most goals in a debut season by a teenager in the 2025/26 campaign with 13
AFP
Cody Gakpo celebrating a goal.
Gakpo scored ten league goals in Liverpool’s title success in the 2024/25 campaign
AFP

With Gakpo also boasting a Premier League title win in 2025, he would bring the quality needed to transform Tottenham’s fortunes.

Then at centre-forward, Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi could be just the man to spearhead their new-look attack.

Tottenham are believed to be lining up an £85m bid for the 20-year-old, who fired in 13 goals in 33 Premier League games last season.

At right-wing, Savinho could finally feature, with the Brazilian long being tipped for a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs were heavily linked with the Manchester City forward this time last year and again in January, but a deal never materialised, with a £60m transfer fee previously being mooted.

According to talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, Savinho remains of interest to Tottenham, with the two clubs in ‘on-off talks’ over him.

Tottenham's dream XI for the 2026/27 season
There aren’t many familiar faces from last season in Tottenham’s dream XI for the 2026/27 campaign

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