'Verbal agreement' - insider drops more sobering transfer news for Tottenham fans

Tottenham Hotspur are actively seeking to strengthen their midfield, which is considered weaker than their Premier League rivals in the race for Champions League qualification. The club aims to sign two midfielders: a box-to-box player and a holding midfielder, with one being younger and the other older, balancing creative and defensive qualities.

While Tottenham pursued Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest, the deal remains unconfirmed, leading them to consider alternatives like Xavi Simons. Simons, an attacking No. 8, could complement Gibbs-White or serve as a standalone signing to diversify midfield dynamics.

However, Tottenham appear to have lost ground in the transfer battle for Simons. Reports indicate Chelsea held talks with the 22-year-old RB Leipzig star, aiming for a verbal agreement. Arsenal and Bayern Munich have also withdrawn from contention, and Tottenham's absence from recent updates suggests they are no longer in the running.

As alternatives, Tottenham are focusing on more defensive targets. These include 30-year-old Joao Palhinha (linked with Bayern Munich), with Anton Stach and Richard Rios also mentioned as possibilities. With younger targets like Adam Wharton deemed implausible, Palhinha represents a pragmatic option.

Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller is another potential candidate, but the window for Simons has effectively closed. The article concludes that Tottenham's slow progress in midfield recruitment risks undermining their season ambitions.