Tottenham's Midfield Rebuild: Targeting Tonali, Fernandes, and Scott

Tottenham’s midfield rebuild is starting to look like an obsession rather than a plan.

Roberto De Zerbi wants a new engine at the heart of his side, and Spurs are now circling three of the most coveted midfielders in the Premier League: Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and, more recently, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.

Tonali: The £100m statement target

For weeks, Tonali has been the headline name in Tottenham’s summer strategy. The Newcastle midfielder sits right at the top of their wishlist as De Zerbi searches for experience and authority in the centre of the pitch.

Talks have already taken place with Tonali’s representatives over a move to north London. The Italy international is understood to be open to the switch, but there is a familiar obstacle: Newcastle’s valuation.

The Magpies want around £100 million. Spurs tested the waters with an offer in the region of £80m. It was knocked back. Firmly.

That rejection has not cooled Tottenham’s interest, but it has underlined the scale of the financial commitment required if they are to prise Tonali away from St James’ Park.

Fernandes: Progress with West Ham’s prize asset

Tonali is not the only big-money midfielder on the radar.

West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as another major objective after a standout season in east London. The Portugal international has drawn heavy interest from across the league, and Tottenham have moved early to position themselves in that race.

Multiple reports in June indicated Spurs had already made progress on the player’s side, with Fernandes described as being close to an agreement over personal terms. The Independent then added another layer, revealing that talks between Tottenham and West Ham had been “positive” over a deal that could eventually rise to around £85m.

Those figures show just how aggressively Spurs are pushing to reshape their midfield. Two primary targets, both at £80m-plus territory, both viewed as potential centrepieces of De Zerbi’s project.

Dubravka deal underlines quiet rebuild

While the headline numbers swirl around the midfield chase, Tottenham have quietly moved in another area of the pitch.

Martin Dubravka has arrived on a free transfer following his departure from Burnley. The veteran goalkeeper, who previously spent a long spell at Newcastle before his season at Turf Moor, adds depth and competition between the posts.

It is not the sort of signing that dominates back pages, but it fits the pattern. Spurs are evolving under De Zerbi, piece by piece, with experience and reliability threaded through the squad as they chase higher standards.

Enter Alex Scott: Bournemouth dig their heels in

The next name on the list is younger, cheaper than Tonali and Fernandes, but no less intriguing.

Alex Scott has become one of Bournemouth’s most important players since his move from Bristol City. At 22, he has turned himself into a central figure on the south coast, his performances over the last two seasons drawing admiring glances from some of England’s biggest clubs.

According to Sky Sports, Tottenham are among several sides targeting the midfielder. Their interest is not unique. Manchester United and Arsenal have already made initial enquiries over the player, who is valued at around £60m.

Those approaches went nowhere. Bournemouth knocked them back.

The Cherries’ stance is blunt and unwavering: they do not want to sell Scott in this window. Club officials have made that clear to all interested parties. Instead of preparing for a record departure, Bournemouth are working on a new contract to lock in his long-term future.

Talks over fresh terms have already started, with the club hopeful that Scott will continue his development under new head coach Marco Rose. For Bournemouth, keeping him is not just about resisting bids; it is about building a team around a player whose influence grows with every month.

A rising star who won’t go away

Scott’s reputation has climbed even without the international spotlight he might have expected. He missed out on England’s World Cup squad this summer, despite being strongly considered before the final cut, but his club form has ensured his name stays in the conversation at the very top level.

Tottenham, United, Arsenal – they have all seen enough to make a move. Bournemouth have seen enough to refuse one.

So Spurs push on. Tonali at £100m, Fernandes at £85m, Scott at £60m and not for sale. It is an ambitious, expensive, and complicated hunt for the midfield that will define De Zerbi’s Tottenham.

The question now is simple: who blinks first – the selling clubs, or a Spurs hierarchy determined to turn intent into a signature?