It’s been a fairly quiet stretch for Tottenham since Sandro Tonali’s club-record £100 million move from Newcastle on July 6, but the recent uptick in activity suggests the drought could be nearing its end — and reports suggest Spurs might not stop at their expected Manchester City double.
According to Football Insider, De Zerbi is still eager to add to his attacking options and has zeroed in on Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta as a potential target. The 29-year-old Frenchman has been one of Palace’s most reliable finishers in recent years, having hit double figures in the Premier League in each of the last three seasons — numbers that would appeal to any side wanting more of a goal threat. His club form has also earned him a place in the France setup, and he featured off the bench three times at the World Cup, totaling 21 minutes as Les Bleus reached the semi-finals before falling to eventual champions Spain.
There is, however, a note of caution attached to any potential move given his injury history. A proposed transfer to AC Milan in January fell through after medical tests flagged concerns over an old knee problem — a meniscus injury dating back to his time at Mainz in 2019. Though it had previously been managed, Milan’s medical staff raised red flags serious enough that Mateta underwent surgery before eventually returning to action for Palace.
Mateta has since spoken about how significant that discovery was, telling Canal+ in July that he wondered how much longer he could have carried on playing with the issue unresolved had Milan’s doctors not caught it. Comments like that underline how serious the situation was and would understandably give any interested club pause — particularly Tottenham, given the injury struggles already faced by Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.
That said, Mateta has proven since his recovery that he’s still capable of making a difference. He returned from the knee issue in March and played his part in Palace’s Conference League triumph, before earning World Cup selection shortly after — signs that the fitness concerns haven’t kept him out of contention at club or international level. There is some uncertainty around his current condition though, as he hasn’t played for Palace in pre-season since coming back from the tournament. Despite that, new boss Pierre Sage is reportedly confident Mateta will be fit for Palace’s league opener away at Everton on Saturday — a promising sign for Spurs if their interest turns into something more concrete.
Any move for Mateta would also say something about Tottenham’s broader attacking rebuild. With Savinho and Marmoush both closing in, Spurs’ forward line already looks set for a major upgrade — Savinho offering width, pace and creativity, Marmoush a versatile attacking presence able to play across the front line. Mateta would bring something different: a genuine focal-point striker who’d add competition for Solanke and Richarlison.
Spurs are also said to retain interest in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, though how serious that pursuit stays may depend on how their other attacking business shakes out. Whether Gakpo ends up viewed as a priority or simply an alternative option could hinge on whether deals for Savinho, Marmoush and Mateta all come together.
What makes the Mateta links particularly interesting is that he’d represent a different kind of addition compared to the anticipated City pair — a more traditional number nine with proven Premier League pedigree, rather than another flashy attacking name. His injury history means Spurs would need to tread carefully before committing financially, but for now Savinho and Marmoush remain the priority deals in motion. If the Mateta reports hold up, though, Tottenham could be on the verge of one of the most ambitious squad overhauls in the club’s recent history — and fans won’t have long to wait to see how far De Zerbi is willing to go.
