The Roberto De Zerbi era at Tottenham Hotspur is still in its infancy, yet optimism around the club is already building at a remarkable pace. After one of the most turbulent seasons in recent memory — which saw Spurs flirt dangerously with relegation — attention has now shifted firmly towards a summer rebuild that could redefine the club’s identity.
Central to that rebuild is the midfield. De Zerbi’s system demands creativity, physicality, and technical quality in equal measure, and Tottenham’s recruitment team are reportedly pursuing several high-profile targets to meet those requirements. Among the names generating the most excitement is Alexis Mac Allister, the World Cup-winning Argentine who endured a difficult campaign at Liverpool. With uncertainty surrounding his future at Anfield, Spurs are understood to be monitoring the situation closely.
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney is another name firmly on Tottenham’s radar. One of English football’s most highly-regarded young midfielders, Hackney has attracted widespread Premier League interest and fits the profile of a dynamic, box-to-box operator that De Zerbi values. Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez, valued at approximately £50 million, also represents a realistic target should the Spaniard become available as City continue reshaping their squad.
Perhaps the most intriguing prospect, however, is Brighton’s Carlos Baleba. Having previously thrived under De Zerbi’s management, the Cameroonian brings the athleticism and defensive intensity that Tottenham’s midfield has long lacked. With Manchester United’s interest reportedly fading, a reunion in North London could appeal to both club and player. Should De Zerbi deploy his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, a midfield built around Mac Allister, Baleba, or Gonzalez — with James Maddison pulling the strings behind them — would represent a significant upgrade in both balance and quality.
With Archie Gray continuing his development and Maddison targeting a strong return following an injury-disrupted season, the foundation is in place. If chairman Daniel Levy backs his manager in the transfer market, Tottenham’s midfield could undergo one of the most significant transformations in the Premier League this summer — and the club’s supporters, for the first time in a long while, have every reason to feel excited about what lies ahead.
Potential Dream Midfield:
⭐ Alexis Mac Allister
⭐ Nico Gonzalez
⭐ James Maddison
