De Zerbi’s new Caicedo now wants to sign for Spurs

There might well be a few Tottenham Hotspur managers of years gone by looking on a little envious of the financial backing that Roberto De Zerbi is set to receive this summer, with the Lilywhites going all out to fashion a star-studded side under the Italian.

Where was this kind of investment two years ago, for instance, with Ange Postecoglou’s second summer at the helm, following a creditable fifth-place finish, seeing the north London side primarily invest in youth rather than ready-made additions, with current club-record signing Dominic Solanke perhaps the only exception.

The likes of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall arrived in that 2024 window, two players who could now be facing a fight for their place at N17, amid De Zerbi’s desire to bring in as many as three new midfielders to bolster his ranks.

As a man who allowed the likes of Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister to flourish back at Brighton and Hove Albion, the former Seagulls boss certainly knows how to get the best out of sparkling midfield talent.

Can he do so again?

Big-money midfield target now wants to join De Zerbi at Spurs

Yves Bissouma has already departed on a free transfer, while the aforementioned Bergvall appears to be pushing for increased game time elsewhere, amid interest from Nottingham Forest.

With a decision yet to be made on loan star, Joao Palhinha, too, it’s easy to see why midfield has become such a priority, particularly considering the long-standing injury woes of the likes of James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur.

The Lilywhites appear to have lasered in on Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali as their two leading targets, with exciting updates having been offered regarding the Newcastle United man, in particular.

As per journalist Ben Jacobs, there is the suggestion that personal terms are close to being agreed with the Italian, with ‘broad terms in place’ as things stand.

Club-to-club talks with the Magpies are set to continue, although the 26-year-old has given the ‘green light’ to the move, after three seasons at St James’ Park.

Further reporting from Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas indicates that Tonali is ready to sign for Spurs and is keen to play under his compatriot, De Zerbi, with a contract offer of around £275k-per-week said to be on the table.

Why Tonali could be De Zerbi’s new Caicedo

As already stated, De Zerbi has previous for nurturing and improving midfield talents, having previously made the aforementioned Caicedo the centrepiece of his Brighton side.

The Ecuadorian had made eight Premier League appearances at the tail-end of the 2021/22 campaign, although his first full season in the top-flight came under De Zerbi’s watch, making 35 appearances in 2022/23.

Only 20 at the time, the South American swiftly cemented his place as one of the leading midfield talents in the country, ranking second in the division that season for both tackles and interceptions, as well as sixth for accurate passes made.

A mobile, athletic midfielder, Caicedo was central to everything good about that Brighton team, having since gone on to prove a real shining light at Chelsea, now arguably the “best defensive midfielder in the world”, in the view of Enzo Maresca.

The hope will be that Tonali can become another midfield force for De Zerbi to build his side around, with the Italian already “one of the best midfielders in the world“, in the view of his agent.

While 2025/26 proved a difficult one both collectively and personally on Tyneside, Tonali had shone the year prior, scoring and assisting six league goals, creating four ‘big chances’ and boasting a solid 86% pass accuracy rate in the top flight.

That record isn’t too dissimilar to Caicedo’s own return under De Zerbi in 2022/23, the then-youngster registering two goals and assists, creating three ‘big chances’ and recording an 89% pass completion rate.

As a natural ball-winner, Caicedo is comfortably clear, enjoying a far superior rate for tackles and interceptions in those respective seasons (4.2 vs 2.3), although the pair are alike in being something of a midfield powerhouse, players not so easily beaten in the centre of the park.

Indeed, Tonali was dribbled past just 0.7 times per game in 2024/25, while Caicedo enjoyed a similar average of 0.6 in 2022/23.

Equally too, both men are capable of something spectacular from range, with Tonali notably rifling home twice to see off Aston Villa in the FA Cup earlier this year.

Having that all-action, dominant presence in the midfield unit could help to elevate Spurs after such woes in that department in recent seasons, with some still likely to shudder at the thought of Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg lining up together not too long ago.