The last two seasons in the Premier League have been torturous for Tottenham Hotspur supporters, as they have often had to watch their team in the midst of a relegation battle.
Roberto De Zerbi will be hoping he can mastermind a plan which could see the Lilywhites pull clear of the drop zone and mount a charge for European football next term.
He’s been massively backed in his quest in North London, with ENIC already handing him over £230m worth of funds to improve the senior ranks this summer.
Additional funds are expected to be handed his way before the transfer window closes, but he should desperately be steering clear of a move for one current transfer target.
Why Spurs must look past a deal for Pedro Neto this summer
After Spurs completed their overhaul of the midfield department, attention has quickly shifted to forward areas of the pitch – with De Zerbi making the addition of new attackers a priority.
Countless names have appeared on the Lilywhites’ shortlist over recent weeks, with Pedro Neto the latest name to be linked with a possible switch to North London.
The Chelsea star has been pushed closer to the exit door since Xabi Alonso’s arrival, which has seen a £60m departure mooted before the end of the transfer window.
However, despite the interest in the Portuguese international, De Zerbi’s men should be looking to steer clear of a potential deal for the 26-year-old forward.
|
Pedro Neto – PL stats (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
34 |
|
Goals & assists |
11 |
|
Pass accuracy |
84% |
|
Chances created |
1.7 |
|
Dribble success |
45% |
|
Shots on target |
0.4 |
|
Cross success |
20% |
|
Duels won |
3.4 |
Neto ultimately struggled in front of goal at Stamford Bridge last term, as seen by his tally of just five goals and average of just 0.4 shots on target per 90.
The latter of his two figures placed him below 75% of forwards in the division, subsequently showcasing his struggles when in the final third of the pitch.
He also struggled to get past the opposition on a regular basis, as seen by his 45% successful take-on rate, which also saw 60% of attackers in the league achieve a better record.
How Spurs can land a better talent than Neto this summer
With less than a month remaining in the summer transfer window, Spurs will have to work quickly if they are going to secure any of their top targets for De Zerbi.
Manchester City star Savinho has been one of the Lilywhites’ long-standing targets, but a deal is yet to be agreed with Enzo Maresca’s men for the Brazilian star.
He’s not the only player who remains on their transfer shortlist at present, with Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo another star who continues to be linked with a move to North London.
It’s been reported by Football Insider that if an offer in the region of £70m is presented for the Dutchman, then the Reds would consider selling the attacker.
They also claim a potential deal could hinge on Andoni Iraola’s side landing a new forward themselves, with a move potentially needing to be completed later in the window.
While it may take longer than expected to land one of the club’s top targets, a deal for Gakpo would undoubtedly be worth the wait for De Zerbi’s men this summer.
His stats from last season showcase why he’s a class above fellow target Neto and why the hierarchy should be prioritising a move for his signature.
Gakpo registered more goals than the Chelsea star, whilst also achieving a higher combined goal and assist tally – highlighting his added quality within forward areas.
The Dutchman also ranked in the top 10% of all forwards in the Premier League for shots taken – showcasing his relentless ability to trouble the opposition ‘keeper.
Such a quality has been lacking in wide areas in North London over recent times, with no winger able to net more than five goals throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Even when finding a teammate, the Liverpool star managed to outperform the Portuguese star – as he created more chances for his teammates per 90 in England’s top-flight.
His chance creation often came at the end of his mazy runs into attacking areas – which also saw him register a better successful dribble rate than Neto throughout last season.
£70m for the Dutchman may seem like an expensive deal at present, but his experience of winning and starring in the Premier League will be extremely valuable to De Zerbi’s men.
He’s made landing proven options from England’s top-flight a priority this summer, with Gakpo more than capable of fitting such criteria in the club’s hunt for attacking reinforcements.
