Spurs now in talks to sign £25m English talent

Tottenham Hotspur have been used to frustration. Up until Ange Postecoglou changed a narrative at the end of the 2024/25 season, hopes of securing silverware felt far-fetched.

The joy of winning the Europa League was quickly washed away by the misery of the 2025/26 campaign, though, with Spurs dancing with danger in the Premier League. Back-to-back 17th-place finishes is unacceptable, but it’s become the new norm for the Londoners.

Roberto De Zerbi is resolved toward changing that, and there’s no denying that Spurs’ form picked up considerably over the business weeks, after the Italian’s appointment during March international break.

Now, De Zerbi expects to be rewarded with talented additions before the end of summer.

Spurs in talks to sign English midfielder

Tottenham had something of a creative problem last season, and while James Maddison is fit once again after spending the lion’s share of the campaign recovering from an ACL injury, more is still needed.

That’s where someone like Savinho comes in. Spurs are advancing in negotiations for the Manchester City star, with a fee nearly agreed for the Brazilian winger. Expect further forwards to arrive at N17 over the next few months.

Likewise, Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is on ENIC’s radar, with an opening offer tabled and rejected for the Dutch defender.

Of course, Spurs have many creases to iron out, and according to Sports BoomENIC have opened talks with Middlesbrough over a deal for Hayden Hackney, who is anticipated to leave Riverside this summer after Boro lost the Championship play-off final to Hull City.

Everton are the frontrunners for the 23-year-old midfielder, but Tottenham fancy their chances of pulling off a remarkable hijack. Hackney is valued at £25m, and while Middlesbrough would welcome a bidding war, he is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract.

Hackney is not an attacking midfielder of the mould of someone like Maddison, but he is a naturally creative midfielder, and he would tick more than a few boxes for De Zerbi.

Why Hackney can be Spurs’ next Maddison

Hackney might not have led Middlesbrough to the Premier League, but he was crowned the Championship Player of the Season after a remarkable year for his boyhood club.

It is no coincidence that Boro’s end-of-season slump coincided with Hackney’s extended absence through injury, resulting in a fall from the automatic promotion zone.

Described as “the best player in the Championship” by journalist Eric Paynor, Hackney is a technical midfielder, someone who can unlock a defence and control the pace and tempo of a match. He would certainly assist a Spurs team who have struggled to make things happen on the ball, who have struggled to even retain it.

Unlike Maddison, he is more varied in his midfield play, but maybe that’s what Tottenham need to bounce back. Given that he has established himself as a high-level creative outlet in the Championship, he could even establish himself as the London club’s new version of Maddison, who cut his teeth with Norwich City in the second tier before earning a transfer to Leicester City.

Maddison will hope to nail down a starting berth under De Zerbi’s wing next season, but whether he would be chosen over someone like Hackney is another matter.

With the skill and style to instil a variety of passing patterns while winning duels and covering ground across the centre of the park, it’s not hard to see why Premier League teams are queueing up for his signature. Though Everton seems to have the edge in the saga, Hackney might just be tempted by moving to London and cementing himself as the centrepiece of De Zerbi’s resurgent outfit.

Accomplished in the Championship and ready to take on the Premier League, Hackney could be a game-changer for De Zerbi’s side next season, securing a first-class midfielder with the perfect blend of creative and combative qualities.