In an attempt to bolster the attacking midfield department, Tottenham Hotspur completed the signing of talented youngster Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.
The hierarchy forked out a staggering £52m for his signature, a figure that made him the fourth-highest addition in their history – being one of five players to join the club for £50m or more.
At just 22, he’s seen as an immediate and long-term solution to the issue in such an area, already showcasing his quality in his first handful of Premier League appearances.
Simons has already notched an assist for the Lilywhites, teeing up Pape Matar Sarr from a set piece in the 3-0 triumph against local rivals West Ham United.
However, a deal for the youngster may not have been completed, especially if they had agreed another deal for a player who was previously on their radar.
Eberechi Eze’s proposed move to Spurs this summer
After missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White, Spurs turned their attention to fellow English star Eberechi Eze in an attempt to improve the options at Thomas Frank’s disposal in forward areas.
At one stage, a deal appeared extremely likely to be completed, with the player himself in advanced talks over a switch to join the Lilywhites and move across the capital from Crystal Palace.
However, despite a £60m fee being mooted, a deal would rapidly crumble in front of the supporters’ very eyes – with such a failure undoubtedly being a disappointment given the previous failures.
Eze would instead make a move to join Spurs’ North London rivals Arsenal in a deal totalling £67.5m including add-ons – further adding pain to the fans after missing out on his signature.
The Englishman’s announcement video with the Gunners threw shade on his failed move to join Frank’s side, claiming that he always wanted to join the Arsenal after previously playing for them as a youngster.
However, alongside the deal to land Simons instead, the club already have another talent on their books who could emulate the former Palace star’s success in the Premier League.
The Spurs star who’d be their very own Eze
Spurs’ academy setup has allowed for numerous top-level talents to emerge over the last couple of years – potentially saving them millions of pounds in the years ahead.
Mikey Moore was a player who took advantage of the injury crisis last campaign, subsequently making 19 appearances for the first-team across all competitions.
The teenager even scored his first senior goal in the Europa League victory over Elfsborg, showcasing the talent and potential he possesses to become a key member of the squad in the years ahead.
He’s not alone in having huge potential in North London, with midfielder George Abbott another star who could become a key man under Frank during his tenure.
The 20-year-old joined the club at the age of just seven, spending a decade at youth level before penning his first senior contract with his boyhood club at 17.
Abbott enjoyed his first taste of senior action last campaign, racking up 44 appearances on loan at League Two outfit Notts County – scoring six and registering seven assists.
Such performances led to one County analyst dubbing the youngster as “incredible” – even winning the EFL’s Goal of the Season for his effort against Accrington Stanley.
He would return to North London for pre-season, even starring in some of the fitness tests conducted by the first-team – further showcasing his remarkable talents despite his tender age.
Abbott is currently spending the 2025/26 season on loan at League One side Wycombe Wanderers, even scoring his first goal of the season against Northampton Town on Saturday afternoon.
Games played
44
Goals & assists
13
Pass accuracy
87%
Chances created
1.2
Fouls won
1.3
Tackles won
1.6
Interceptions made
1.7
Recoveries made
5.2
Such a stint is similar to Eze, with the now Arsenal talent previously spending time on loan at the same club before making a name for himself in England’s top-flight.
There’s no denying that Abbott has a long way to go before reaching such levels, but the comparisons are there for all to see, with the midfielder needing to continue on his current development path.
If he can continue starring like he has done in recent years, the sky will be the limit for the 20-year-old talent, potentially having a key role to play in Frank’s potential success.
Should he get to the levels of Eze, it would once again highlight the impact of the club’s academy setup – with Abbott the next in a long line of stars to emerge out of the youth setup.
