Spurs ready to sign De Zerbi’s new Mac Allister

Fresh off the back of a creditable fifth-place finish in Ange Postecoglou’s first season in charge, Tottenham Hotspur appeared ready to go again in 2024, with the Aussie having breathed new life into the north London side.

As was so often the way in the Daniel Levy era, however, just when the club looked ready to kick on, the required signings weren’t made, with then-club record capture, Dominic Solanke, the only true, ready-made addition that summer.

In midfield, for instance, the Lilywhites gambled on two undoubtedly talented but inexperienced youngsters in the form of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, two players who now face uncertain futures at N17 after failing to nail down a regular starting role across the last two seasons.

Thankfully, the Levy stranglehold is over, with the statement deals for Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes representing what managers of recent years having been crying out for – proven, Premier League experience.

Under Roberto De Zerbi, a new-look side is being assembled, with all the signs pointing to further additions before the window is out.

Spurs could make a third midfield signing after Tonali & Fernandes

Having snapped up Tonali and Fernandes for a combined fee of £185m, after already making four prior signings, the expectation would be that the north Londoners would start to quieten down on the recruitment front.

And yet, by all accounts, they could be just getting started, with even further midfield arrivals not ruled out, following the confirmation that Joao Palhinha will not be returning following his solid loan spell.

Yves Bissouma has already departed, Bergvall is the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest, and Gray is a target for Tonali’s former side, Newcastle United, with those potential exits set to heighten the need for more reinforcements.

Well, according to Caught Offside, one name that could be on the agenda is Brighton and Hove Albion starlet, Yasin Ayari, with Spurs joining the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle in the race for his signature.

The Seagulls are keen to tie the Sweden international down to a new deal, although the Premier League elite are beginning to circle, with his existing contract set to expire in 2027.

The 22-year-old made the move to the Amex in January 2023, while earning his debut under De Zerbi just a few months later.

Why Ayari could be De Zerbi’s new Mac Allister

De Zerbi is credited for helping to oversee the rise of Moises Caicedo, although he was also central to furthering the career of Alexis Mac Allister, even after only working together during the 2022/23 season.

Mac Allister really came to the fore that campaign, scoring and assisting 12 Premier League goals for the south coast side, while also winning the World Cup with Argentina.

Deployed in a more advanced midfield role, the South American was so influential that season, with it no surprise that he hails De Zerbi as the “best coach” he’s ever worked with.

The new Spurs boss could then look to Brighton again to find his next midfield project, with a reunion with Ayari potentially set to be a fruitful one.

It was actually Mac Allister whom the Swede replaced off the bench to make his Seagulls debut in March 2023, albeit while then moving on loan to Coventry City for the following campaign.

Now back at Brighton, the diminutive playmaker has shown what he’s all about of late, mirroring Mac Allister as another truly influential talent with a keen eye for goal.

In 2025/26, for instance, the 5 foot 8 starlet scored and assisted six goals, with Scout Lab noting that the most similar player to him across Europe’s top five leagues last term was actually Liverpool’s number ten.

Ayari has since also caught the eye on the international stage, scoring twice for his country against Tunisia at the World Cup, both of which came in spectacular fashion.

It was Qatar 2022 that really propelled Mac Allister’s career and helped him seal a move to Liverpool, with the same perhaps set to be true of Ayari, if De Zerbi is to get his wish.

Indeed, there is a real composure and control to their game, despite typically operating as a number ten at Brighton, with Ayari boasting an 86% pass accuracy rate last term, just below Mac Allister’s 87% average from 2022/23.

The Swede also only lost the ball 8.3 times per game, just below Mac Allister’s average of 10.4, again highlighting why he would suit De Zerbi’s possession-heavy approach.

In Tonali and Fernandes, Spurs already have the makings of a stellar midfield pairing, although the question remains as to who will play ahead of them, particularly with James Maddison’s injury woes still of concern.

Bringing the versatile Ayari into the fold could then be a dream, potentially bargain option, with De Zerbi already showcasing with both Caicedo and Mac Allister what he can do with rising midfield stars.