There are few, if any, positives to take from the Morgan Gibbs-White debacle. The unexpected "Here We Go" represented more than a summer transfer coup; it marked the beginning of new era at Hotspur Way—a new way of doing business, an ambitious statement of intent, confirmation that supporters’ long-ignored pleas for Spurs to “act like a big club” had finally been heard by the hierarchy.
When the MGW deal initially broke on June 10, the sentiment around N17 was that Daniel Levy had either learned his lesson by failing to re-invest in the squad following the 2019 Champions League final or, better yet, that the signings of Kudus and Gibbs-White were financed by outside investment. And if the latter was to be believed, there would be more marquee signings to come.
Instead, Spurs fans woke up Sunday morning to their club being mocked by the son of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis on social media and lamenting how neither of Thomas Frank’s fragmented squads could fail to beat League One opposition in a Saturday double-header.
What’s worse, it reconfirmed just how far Tottenham have fallen behind their Premier League “Top Six” rivals. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are on course to spend more than £1 billion during the summer transfer window, while Spurs’ new signings consist of Mohammed Kudus (£55 million), Mathys Tel (£30 million) and Kōta Takai (£5 million).
But if there is one positive to take from the Midlands Massacre, it is that Daniel Levy can be left with no illusions about what needs to be done to improve the squad and when he needs to do it. After losing out on MGW, he has at least £60 million in the bank, and he will need all of that, probably more, to revamp Spurs’ attacking options. Thomas Frank would presumably desire a few signings before he takes his depleted squad to Asia to face Newcastle and Arsenal. But he most certainly needs them before August 15, when Tottenham takes on PSG in the UEFA Super Cup final.
Thankfully, there are a few Morgan Gibbs-White alternatives still on the market.
Eberechi Eze
What an emotional rollercoaster it would be if Spurs were to lose out on MGW only to finally sign Eberechi Eze. If the Palace talisman, and recent chess champion, doesn’t join Tottenham this summer, he probably never will. He would add sorely needed flair and creativity in the number 10 position or could be played out wide, if needed. The England international is “Premier League-proven” and he would be at the top of many Spurs fans’ wish lists. While Daniel Levy can presumably afford to pay a large portion of Eze's reported £68 million release clause up front, the biggest hurdle may be convincing him to spurn Arsenal’s advances.
Maghnes Akliouche
More Riyad Mahrez than Morgan Gibbs-White, Maghnes Akliouche could terrorize Premier League defenders in an attacking midfield role or on the right wing. The 23-year-old Olympian of French-Algerian descent is a rising star for Monaco, and he would immediately become one of Spurs’ most dynamic, intrepid options alongside Mohammed Kudus. He has exceptional dribbling ability, an eye for a pass, speed, and limitless skill. He would need to get stronger to handle the physicality of the Premier League, but Spurs fans wouldn’t be able to sit down while he was on the ball.
Enzo Millot
Enzo Millot is not your quintessential creative midfielder. He is an attacking-minded distributor who tends to play a little deeper and pass the ball over and through the lines, rather than running at his man. But the left-footed French youth international doesn’t lack the skill or technical ability required to wriggle out of tight spaces. With a similar build to Morgan Gibbs-White, he has the strength to protect the ball against larger opponents and the tactical awareness to find his teammates in dangerous positions. The challenge would be for Spurs to outbid Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray for the Stuttgart midfielder’s services.
Charles De Ketelaere
De Ketelaere struggled at AC Milan after moving from Club Brugge, but the 24 year-old Belgian international excelled under Gian Piero Gasparini at Atalanta. Tall, graceful, and technically-gifted, he has similarities to Kaká. De Ketelaere excels in the air and with the ball at his feet. He can take on his man, create opportunities for others, or look to score himself. He was named the Best Belgian Abroad in 2024 and is only now entering the prime of his career. But with Ademola Lookman and Éderson potentially leaving Atalanta this summer, the Bergamo-based club may not be willing to sell him.
Oihan Sancet
Nico Williams gets all the attention, but Athletic Bilbao’s offense doesn’t hum without Oihan Sancet. He is perhaps the most offensive-minded attacking midfielder on the list. Sancet registered the most goals for the Basque giants and was named La Liga Player of the Month for February 2025. At 25 years old, the Spanish international is entering the prime of his career and would immediately make the team better. There are, however, concerns about his resilience. A series of hamstring and ankle injuries kept him out of action for nearly three months last season.