Tottenham Hotspur’s approach to the transfer market has changed markedly in recent months, with a growing sense inside the club that its recruitment is now sharper and more assertive than it was under former chairman Daniel Levy and ex-football director Fabio Paratici.
Unease over Spurs’ transfer dealings had been building among supporters for years. Many felt the club consistently came up short against England’s top sides when chasing marquee targets, repeatedly watching priority names choose rivals instead while Tottenham settled for plan-B options. That frustration deepened through the back end of Levy’s time at the helm, with a widespread belief that the club simply wasn’t ruthless enough to compete at the very top.
Paratici had arrived with a strong reputation built at Juventus, and hopes were high he’d overhaul Spurs’ recruitment operation. Over time, though, doubts crept in over whether real progress was being made. Several signings split opinion, and critics felt the club still wasn’t landing the game’s most in-demand players.
Poor league form compounded the criticism of the football department, with many supporters feeling there was no coherent long-term plan — big-money buys often underdelivered while top young talent opted elsewhere.
That picture has shifted considerably under Roberto De Zerbi. Since arriving, the Italian has helped overhaul the club’s footballing structure and driven a bold summer rebuild, with major additions such as Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes already arriving as clear statements of ambition.
The Athletic has reported that there’s a strong belief within Tottenham that the recruitment department is now working with far more clarity, planning and unity than under the old regime, with staff said to be thrilled at winning out for high-profile targets despite competition from some of Europe’s elite clubs — a sign of the growing confidence in the new setup.
Many fans view this as proof the club has turned a corner. Rather than repeatedly losing out on top targets, Spurs are now linking up with — and landing — players who can make an instant impact while also offering long-term upside.
This shift has also reshaped how Tottenham are perceived in the market. Once seen as a club reacting to rivals’ business, Spurs now look proactive, identifying targets early and pushing hard to get deals done.
Views on Levy and Paratici’s legacy remain split among the fanbase, but there’s rising optimism that the current structure has built a far more ambitious recruitment model. With De Zerbi steering the football project and heavy investment in proven quality, many believe Spurs are finally showing the vision and conviction expected of a Premier League heavyweight.
