Tottenham Hotspur’s big-money summer has drawn sharp criticism, with former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan questioning both the club’s recruitment approach and why players are actually choosing to join them.
Coming off a disappointing 17th-place Premier League finish, Spurs have moved quickly to back new head coach Roberto De Zerbi in the market, already committing a whopping £237 million to reshape the squad ahead of the new campaign.
The spending began with Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion for £52 million. Tottenham then broke their transfer record with an £85 million deal for midfielder Mateus Fernandes, signed from relegated West Ham United.
That record didn’t last long. Days later, Spurs agreed an even bigger deal with Newcastle United for Italy international Sandro Tonali, worth £100 million in total — £92.5 million upfront plus £7.5 million in add-ons tied to performance.
While many Tottenham fans are buzzing over the business, Jordan isn’t convinced it adds up. Speaking on TalkSPORT, he said he struggled to understand why Tonali would leave Newcastle for Spurs given how poorly the club performed last season.
He argued there are only two real explanations: either money is the driving factor behind the move, or the midfielder genuinely believes Tottenham’s long-term project has more upside than their recent league position suggests.
Jordan also raised broader concerns about Tottenham’s transfer strategy, arguing the club has undergone a major shift in approach under chairman Daniel Levy — moving away from the cautious spending Spurs were once known for and now paying freely, seemingly without the same regard for value. He questioned whether the club is overpaying for its targets and whether there’s a coherent long-term plan behind it all.
He added that even if fans are happy to see the club spend big, he’s not convinced the players being brought in are worth the enormous fees attached to them.
Tottenham’s business may not be done yet, either. The club continues to watch Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi as it looks to add more firepower up front, though Spurs will likely face stiff competition, with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain also said to be tracking the highly-rated youngster.
With big money already spent and possibly more to come, Tottenham’s rebuild under De Zerbi is clearly in full swing — even if the scale of the spending keeps splitting opinion.
