As everyone expected, Tottenham Hotspur are letting Yves Bissouma depart this summer transfer window for free after failing to find any suitable buyers last transfer window despite interest from Turkey, with Bissouma's injury woes further precluding him from an exit.
Bissouma had a few decent games in the 2025/26 Premier League season to save his reputation a bit and help Spurs stay up, but there is a reason why no other Premier League clubs were jumping at the chance to sign him. He was a disappointment throughout his career with the Lilywhites, and Spurs can replace him with a better player. Here are three options to watch closely.
Curtis Jones, Liverpool
Although Curtis Jones is nowhere near world class and some Spurs supporters need to pump the brakes on their praise for him, the Liverpool rotational center midfielder is a very good footballer and significantly better than several of the midfielders in the Tottenham rotation, including Conor Gallagher.
And Jones is definitely better than Yves Bissouma from a technical perspective and in how he reads the game. Tottenham will have to compete wtih Inter Milan and potentially other notable clubs, but Jones is a player they have been interested in for months and who holds a good Premier League pedigree.
Nico Gonzalez, Manchester City
Nico Gonzalez is another quality Premier League midfielder who has even more experience around Europe than Curtis Jones. He has been about as impressive in the English top flight, too, and like Jones, he could tempted to move from a more successful Premier League Big Six club to Tottenham in pursuit of regular starts and playing time.
Capable of presiding over a game with accurate passing while providing sufficient box to box motor, Gonzalez profiles as a player who can help Tottenham exert more control while providing better progressive passing - and he is certainly much better in both regards than Bissouma.
Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace
Finally, the real dream prize Tottenham Hotspur fans have in mind is a young England international who would be nothing like Yves Bissouma as his replacement in the squad. Wharton is a pure No. 6 who passes the ball progressively, playmakes from deep, screens the defense, and uses finesse to dominate matches and make those around him better.
Bissouma was pure motor and intensity, when he actually cared to play, while Wharton is a cerebral and technical player who can be the next great English regista. Tottenham would have to pay aTON to Crystal Palace for him, but he would be worth every cent.
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