Spurs could see bid accepted for £35m star

The decision-makers at Tottenham Hotspur need to ensure the 2025/26 campaign is never repeated. It is no exaggeration to say that Spurs came within a whisker of relegation, of suffering the ultimate embarrassment for a club of such size and stature and wealth.

But Tottenham did steer themselves out of the danger zone, with West Ham United relegated instead. They have Roberto De Zerbi to thank for that, the Italian coach coming up trumps and putting points on the board.

Now it’s time to move forward. Tottenham need to make wholesale changes in the summer transfer window, and while Cristian Romero’s anticipated sale emphasises the need for a new defender or two, sorting out creative deficiencies is arguably more important.

How ENIC Group fix this issue is another matter entirely.

Spurs plotting move for Premier League playmaker

Tottenham’s inability to create and sustain effective attacks in the Premier League is regrettable, but understandable. The Lilywhites have not had James Maddison or Dejan Kulusevski at their disposal, the two playmakers two specks in a much wider injury crisis.

Maddison is fit once again, and he could be instrumental in the fightback that will start in August. However, the 29-year-old will need support, and Spurs have already lined up the perfect foil in attacking midfield.

According to Football Insider, Spurs are lining up a move for Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley, who the Seagulls are prepared to sell this summer. He is valued at £35m, and is a player De Zerbi knows well, having managed him at Marseille.

Tottenham’s interest is rising, but Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are thought to be more advanced in their efforts right now.

O’Riley hasn’t yet hit the heights envisaged when rising to prominence in Scotland with Celtic, but he could be a shrewd solution to Tottenham’s creative problems next season.

Why O’Riley is like Maddison and Kulusevski

O’Riley is one of the most underrated midfielders in the Premier League, blighted by injuries across the past year and thus unable to reach his potential.

Described as a “magician” of a midfielder by talent scout Jacek Kulig, O’Riley can play across the midfield, bringing flair and innate creativity. It’s exactly what Tottenham need, and it’s worth noting he has a combative side too, comfortable against the ball. He would help shore up De Zerbi’s porous backline.

While out on loan with Marseille, O’Riley created five big chances across only 15 games, of which just six were starts. Born in Hounslow, the Danish international has been unfortunate with setbacks over the past year, and that will come as a warning flag for a Spurs side who can ill-afford another injury-ravaged campaign.

But he returned to full fitness across the later stage of the season with Brighton, and could now live up to the praise that saw him likened to Maddison during his trophy-filled spell in Scotland with Celtic.

Indeed, Brendan Rodgers likened O’Riley’s partnership with Kyogo Furuhashi to what he had at Leicester City with ‘Madders’ and Jamie Vardy, while Hoops hero John Hartson also made the comparison himself in 2022.

In fact, considering O’Riley’s athleticism and ability to drop into deeper midfield positions from a more advanced berth, he might even bring a certain Kulusevski-esque flavour to De Zerbi’s team. A left-footer, his output might not be the greatest, but he brings a lot to the table.

Indeed, back in 2024/25, O’Riley ranked fourth among midfielders in the division for chance creation ratio, as per DataMB, a statistic which measures the number of key passes made out of 100 attempted passes.

The only three players above him in that regard were Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and, interestingly, Kulusevski, with both men offering that creative spark be it as a number ten or a right-sided number eight.

Whether Tottenham act on their interest is anyone’s guess at the moment. O’Riley is gearing up for a summer switch, and it’s worth reiterating that foreign suitors are more advanced in their interest right now.

However, returning to London may well appeal to him, especially if informed that he could be the centrepiece of a resurgent Spurs project that would help him realise his potential as an elite Premier League playmaker.