Spurs are now in talks to sign the £25m English talent

Tottenham Hotspur were used to frustration. Until Ange Postecoglou changes the narrative at the end of the 2024/25 season, the prospect of silverware feels remote.

The joy of winning the Europa League was quickly eclipsed by the misery of the 2025/26 campaign, however, with Spurs dancing precariously in the Premier League. Finishing back-to-back-back-to-back 17th is not acceptable, but it has become something new for the Londoners.

Roberto De Zerbi has decided to change that, and there is no denying that Spurs’ form has taken a hit in business weeks, after the Italian was appointed during the international break in March.

Now, De Zerbi expects to be rewarded with talented additions before the end of the summer.

Spurs are in talks to sign the England midfielder

Tottenham struggled for creativity last season, and while James Maddison has recovered after spending much of the campaign recovering from an ACL injury, more is still needed.

This is where someone like Savinho comes in. Spurs are moving forward in talks for the Manchester City star, with a fee almost agreed for the Brazilian midfielder. Expect another move forward to N17 in the next few months.

Likewise, Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is on ENIC’s radar, with an opening bid tabled and rejected for the Dutch defender.

Of course, Spurs have a lot of issues to sort out, and according to Sports Boom, ENIC have opened talks with Middlesbrough over a deal for Hayden Hackney, who is expected to leave the Riverside this summer after Boro lost the Championship final against Hull City.

Everton are leading the way for the 23-year-old, but Tottenham are keen on the prospect of a surprise signing. Hackney is worth £25m, and while Middlesbrough would welcome a bidding war, he is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract.

Hackney is not an attacking midfielder in the mold of someone like Maddison, but he is a naturally creative midfielder, and could tick more than a few of De Zerbi’s boxes.

Why Hackney could be Spurs’ next Maddison

Hackney may not have led Middlesbrough to the Premier League, but he was crowned Championship Player of the Season after an incredible year for his boyhood club.

It’s no coincidence that Boro’s end-of-season slump coincided with Hackney’s long absence through injury, resulting in a drop from the automatic promotion spot.

Described as “the best player in the Championship” by journalist Eric Paynor, Hackney is a technical midfielder, someone who can unlock defenses and control the pace and tempo of the game. Of course, he could have helped the Spurs team who were struggling in football, who were even fighting to keep it.

Unlike Maddison, he is very different in his midfield play, but maybe that’s what Tottenham need to bounce back. Having secured a place at the top level in the Championship, he can even make himself a new version of London club Maddison, who cut his teeth with Norwich City in the second tier before moving on to Leicester City.

Maddison will be hoping to start under De Zerbi next season, but whether he will be chosen over the likes of Hackney is another matter.

With the ability and style to infuse various passing patterns while winning duels and midfield in the center of the park, it’s not hard to see why Premier League teams are lining up to sign him. Although Everton appear to have the edge in this saga, Hackney could be tempted by a move to London and cement himself as the backbone of De Zerbi’s resurgent outfit.

Having won the Championship and ready to take on the Premier League, Hackney could be a game-changer for De Zerbi’s side next season, landing a first-class midfielder with the perfect combination of creative and combative qualities.