3 minute read
Tottenham Hotspurs have broken the AU$200m mark with two big signings ahead of the new Premier League season.
The arrivals of Dominic Solanke and Archie Gray should get Spurs supporters excited about the season to come, as Ange Postecoglou's side hope to narrow the gap on reigning champions Manchester City.
Players In
Gray has potential to be a superstar
Described as generational talent at Leeds United, the West Yorkshire outfit reluctantly sold Gray to help in their efforts to comply with financial fair play after missing out on promotion back to the Premier League.
Gray became one of the most expensive teenage players in history at around AU$70m and some might think that a risk for a player yet to play Premier League football.
However, followers of Gray's rise at Leeds will know that the 18-year-old is a special player and Spurs might have done some phenomenal business to beat their rivals to the punch and land this starlet.
Playing at right-back last season at Elland Road in the Championship, Gray is actually a central midfielder by trade.
Postecoglou has used Gray at centre-back during this pre-season and even in this unfamiliar position, the youngster has played with confidence and quality beyond his years.
The arrival of Gray could prove to be a shrewd piece of business for a player who looks destined for an England call-up in the near future.
Solanke ready for the step up
After enjoying his best-ever season with Bournemouth in the Premier League last season, it was always going to be tough for the Cherries to keep hold of star striker Solanke.
Once news of his AU$125m release clause became public knowledge, the likes of Spurs and Chelsea were being strongly linked with the player.
Tottenham beat rivals Chelsea to Solanke's signature and now the English striker adds another attacking threat to the Lilywhites.
Playing that central role will allow Heung-min Son to return to his more familiar place on the field, which bodes well for a Tottenham side that are 26.00 to win the Premier League this season.
Players Linked
While Gray and Solanke are already through the doors at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, that has not stopped the north London outfit being linked with talent elsewhere.
Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is a player attracting interest from a number of clubs after impressing at Selhurst Park last season.
Eze's efforts earned him a call-up to England's Euro 2024 squad and the attacking midfielder impressed at the major tournament in Germany.
Spurs are believed to be interested in the player but will face stern competition from elsewhere, with Manchester City also being linked with the playmaker.
Another star being linked was Juventus forward Federico Chiesa.
A quality attacker who at 26 years old is coming into the prime of his career and is being linked with a move away from Juve.
Spurs were being named as potential suitors for Chiesa but the arrival of Solanke for big money might have tempered that interest.
Should a player like Richarlison move on for big money this summer, then interest in Chiesa could reignite in north London.