Tottenham Hotspur need to sign a real star in the middle of the park who can control the game. So far, they have not been concretely linked to many players, but Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali and youngster Hayden Hackney are two compelling options. Hackney would be of the Archie Gray mold, a young rising playmaker, whereas Tonali is a more exciting splash signing who still has the potential to be world class in the right environment - and Robert De Zerbi apparently loves him.
But for many Tottenham fans, the absolute dream transfer target in the middle of the park would be a player who is a combination of the two and currently playing for a London rival. Crystal Palace center midfielder Adam Wharton had an exceptional 2025/26 Premier League season under Oliver Glasner and won a European trophy, standing out like a superstar in that Conference League Final for the Eagles.
Wharton is the most exciting registas in England on the come up, with clubs as big as Real Madrid apparently taking a look at him. Tottenham have been linked to Wharton in whispers but not shouts, and now there is another link to get Spurs fans hopes up.
Tottenham are after a bigger gem than Sandro Tonali
It comes from Dean Jones over at Flash Score, as the veteran transfer insider reports that Tottenham Hotspur are making Adam Wharton a priority target in the midfield for the 2026 summer transfer window.
Tottenham fans will, of course, believe it when they see it, but Wharton is a 22 year old monster of the midfield already in the Premier League. He is the kind of player Spurs usually have success buying, a young ascending talent who is already proven in a top league.
Wharton actually put together a better year of film than Sandro Tonali in the 2025/26 season despite being a few years younger, and his profile may be better suited to the needs of Spurs, given he is more of a passer and tempo setter than Tonali, who is a superior athlete to the England international.
Although Wharton may not be that much cheaper than the potentially 100 million pound rated Tonali, that is his worth, and he probably will not exceed the Italian international's transfer value, making him potentially a better economic play for Spurs given he would have more resale value - plus the additional value of being an England international. Spurs fans have been buzzing about Wharton since last summer, and they would love for him to be an option again.
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