Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a massive blow after Eberechi Eze signed for arch-rivals Arsenal this summer, leaving Spurs empty-handed after a lengthy pursuit of his signature.
Tottenham need a playmaker in the ranks, with James Maddison set to be on the sidelines for a chunk of the 2025/26 season.
Attacking midfielder/winger Dejan Kulusevski is also poised to spend considerable time on the treatment table, forcing Spurs into the transfer market.
Unfortunately, the North London outfit has now missed out on Eze and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, meaning they have to turn elsewhere.
However, with the transfer window closing this week and options thinning, who do Spurs sign to fill the no. 10 role?
Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto)
Rodrigo Mora enjoyed a breakout campaign last season for FC Porto, taking the Primeira Liga by storm with 10 goals and four assists in 23 appearances (16 starts).
The 18-year-old sensation emerged as one of the bright spots in a deplorable campaign for the Portuguese giants and could be a fantastic addition to Tottenham’s ranks this summer.
Mora is an electric player and loves to operate close to the left wing like Eze and Maddison. He is a top-calibre talent that will strengthen Thomas Frank’s roster.
He reportedly has a €70 million release clause that Tottenham should consider triggering.
Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco)
AS Monaco’s famed talent pipeline produced Eliesse Ben Seghir, who has been tipped to do great things, and the young playmaker should be on Tottenham’s transfer shortlist.
Ben Seghir scored six goals and created nine big chances in 33 Ligue 1 appearances last term (19 starts). The talented 20-year-old is an excellent creator with a keen eye for goals.
Tottenham could use his services after facing stern competition in the race to sign his teammate Maghnes Akliouche.
Tottenham can pounce on Ben Seghir while no one is watching, and he’d be a massive addition to the squad. He can develop into a world-beater at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Kang-in Lee (Paris Saint-Germain)
Tottenham got an up-close view of what Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kang-in Lee can do when he speared in a shot to lead PSG’s comeback versus Spurs in the UEFA Super Cup final.
The South Korean star recorded six goals and created 16 big chances in 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season. Spurs should be all over the 24-year-old.
Lee is an undervalued creator who will seamlessly fill the void left by Maddison and Kulusevski.
He could jump at the chance to play consistently for Spurs, a place where South Korean legend Son Heung-min is adored.
Tottenham can offer him playing time, and he can take his game to the next level. He has everything to be a world-class player, but needs a stomping ground like Spurs.
Bilal El Khannouss (Leicester City)
Leicester City ace Bilal El Khannouss should be on Spurs’ shortlist after impressing in his stint in the Premier League last term.
The Belgium-born Moroccan attacking midfielder fits the mould of what the Tottenham roster is crying out for.
He is a slippery playmaker who can split open the opposition rearguard.
His numbers are not outstanding, but the raw tools to become an exciting Premier League playmaker are there.
Crystal Palace are reportedly considering El Khannouss to replace Eze, and Spurs should gazump them. He can grow into a potent attacking weapon for Tottenham.
Stats from Sofascore and Transfermarkt