Tottenham Hotspur have made their first real splash of the summer 2026 transfer window, signing Brighton star center back Jan Paul van Hecke for a cool 60 million euros, paying a premium fee for the defender despite him heading into the final year of his contract.
While Van Hecke feels like an overpay, you can see the logic of why Tottenham made the move. Van Hecke is a proven center back entering his prime years, he has rare traits on the ball, and, most importantly, Roberto De Zerbi loves him and shares such a close relationship with the Dutch international that the player told everyone he wanted Spurs - and only Spurs.
After letting Marc Guehi go because they did not want to pay his value with one year left on his deal, back when Daniel Levy was running things, Tottenham did not want to make the same mistake twice. But if you think De Zerbi is stopping right there with Van Hecke when it comes to new blood to freshen up this squad, well, he is after an even more exciting talent.
Tottenham are after another Bundesliga sensation
According to a report from BILD's Axel Hesse, Tottenham Hotspur are planning on making a concrete approach for FC Koln teenage gem Said El Mala, and Roberto De Zerbi, in particular, is very fond of the left winger.
El Mala is one of the top targets of Brighton and other clubs around European football known for going after up and coming talent, and he has also been extensively linked to Bayern Munich as an understudy on the wings for Luis Diaz - or even at striker for the legendary Harry Kane.
Even though Koln frustratingly did not play El Mala in every game as a starter, which may have been to manage his minutes, the sterling talent still showed off his insane athletic ability and explosiveness, as well as his keen eye for goal, with 13 goals and 3 assists in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season.
Said El Mala looks like the next big thing in German football, and while Tottenham's own 19 year old prospect Luka Vuskovic in defense overtook him and Yan Diomande was also a Bundesliga Player of the Season sleeper, El Mala was just as much one of the stories of the season in terms of long term prospects.
Tottenham need a left winger who can score goals. Mathys Tel has real upside on the left wing, but El Mala is an even more exciting prospect and just a better overall athlete and scorer. He can put real pressure on the Frenchman if signed, though, surely, El Mala will cost Spurs at least as much as Jan Paul van Hecke did.
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