Here we take a look at what Tottenham’s rivals for a Champions League place have done so far in the transfer market this summer and what they could possibly do next
Tottenham will be intent on putting things right in the 2023/24 campaign after their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Very much in the mix for a top-four finish for the vast majority of last campaign, Spurs’ poor form in the final couple of months saw them drop out of the running completely and finish 11 points off Newcastle United in fourth.
Ange Postecoglou will be determined to see the club move forward in his first season at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Spurs’ lack of European football on the calendar potentially giving them a boost in terms of qualifying for Europe’s premier competition once again. As the Champions League is set to undergo a revamp in 2024/25 with four extra teams coming into the equation, the Premier League appear set to benefit with one extra place.
That means a fifth-place finish would result in a spot at Europe’s top table come September 2024. Having seen Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa secure European places last season and with both set to strengthen before the transfer deadline, the fight for Champions League football will be incredibly tough.
Chelsea, now under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, will probably also come back into Champions League contention after a dreadful season which saw them finish 12th. So how are Tottenham’s Champions League rivals shaping up ahead of the new term and what could they do next? football.london takes a look below.
Man City
Writing their name into the history books last month after completing the treble, Pep Guardiola’s Man City will be determined to ensure that even more silverware comes their way. Adding to their midfield with the addition of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea for £25million, the exit of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona is a major blow given his experience and his knack of scoring key goals when the team needed it most.
Despite City already boasting a very impressive squad, they will not rest on their laurels and continue to strengthen in the market. Heavily linked with RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, who was mentioned in regards to a move to Tottenham 12 months ago, a transfer deal for the Croat would be a very good piece of business from the champions.
Arsenal
Finishing in second despite topping the table for the vast majority of the campaign, Arsenal are making moves in the transfer market as they bid to go one better. Kai Havertz has joined from Chelsea in a £65m deal, with Declan Rice in line to follow from West Ham for an eye-watering £105m.
Arsenal also look to add to their backline with Jurrien Timber joining from Ajax in the coming days. That is unlikely to be the end of their transfer business, either. Adding even more quality and depth, the Gunners are doing everything possible to build on a very impressive season.
Manchester United
The Red Devils have yet to officially sign a player this summer but they will soon get off the mark with Mason Mount joining in a £60m deal from Chelsea. A goalkeeper is very much the priority for the Red Devils going into the new campaign, with Inter Milan’s Andre Onana heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.
It also remains to be seen what will happen with David de Gea now that his contract with the club has officially come to an end. Faring well under Erik ten Hag last term, United could really kick on if they manage to bring in a world-class striker this summer.
Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen have been mentioned in regards to a switch to The Theatre of Dreams, although United would have to spend serious cash to snap up one of the duo. A new centre-back could potentially be on the cards, but the priority for them first and foremost will be to sign a striker and new goalkeeper once the Mount deal is signed off.
Newcastle United
The Magpies are not wasting any time in the transfer market as they look to cement their place as Champions League regulars over the coming years. AC Milan midfield star Sandro Tonali will sign for £55m once Italy’s participation in the Under-21 Euros has come to an end.
The Italian also looks set to be joined by Southampton man Tino Livramento as Eddie Howe looks for even more competition at right-back. Further additions could come at centre-back, midfield and on the wing as Newcastle look to hit the next level.
Having got themselves into the top four, Newcastle are doing everything in their power to ensure they remain there, thus giving Tottenham a headache in the process.
Liverpool
Following a disappointing season on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have made some very early moves in the transfer market to take their midfield to the next level. Alexis Mac Allister could prove to be an excellent signing for £35m, with RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai the next player set to sign on at Anfield after they triggered his £60m release clause.
The Reds are also keen on bringing in a young centre-back this summer, with Micky van de Ven, who has been linked with Tottenham, a player who has been mentioned in regards to a switch to Liverpool. Finishing last season in decent form to secure fifth place and having Luis Diaz back to full fitness and Cody Gakpo with more experience under his belt after his January move, Liverpool will be a much tougher prospect in 2023/24.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Having lost key players in the past but always managing to bounce back, many will be expecting Brighton & Hove Albion to kick on even further under Roberto De Zerbi despite Mac Allister’s exit. Already strengthening in midfield with Mahmoud Dahoud and James Milner who will bring the Seagulls plenty of experience, they have also signed Watford forward Joao Pedro in a club-record deal.
Brighton have also been linked with a move for Ajax’s exciting midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who would be an excellent addition and give the team even more quality in the final third after chipping in with 18 goals for the Dutch side last term. De Zerbi’s men need to find a way of replacing Levi Colwill after his loan spell from Chelsea came to an end, while a new goalkeeper will also be required after Robert Sanchez fell out of favour last term and looks set to move on.
If the south coast club can keep hold of the likes of Moises Caicedo, Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson, they may well find themselves in European contention once again.
Aston Villa
Villa will be a force to be reckoned with under Unai Emery in 2023/24 after a stunning end to the previous campaign. Coming from nowhere to secure European football ahead of Tottenham, the Villans have already boosted their squad with the addition of Youri Tielemans on a free transfer.
Pau Torres, who excelled at centre-back in Emery’s Villarreal team, looks set to be their next signing as they take their backline up to the next level. The manager wants to add even more quality to the ranks this summer, with another midfielder, goalkeeper and a couple more attacking options potential arrivals.
With a full pre-season under Emery set to come, Villa could really go places with the experienced Spaniard at the helm.
Chelsea
Chelsea have been extremely active in the transfer market this summer with a host of transfer deals already completed. The vast majority of those have been outgoings as they look to cut down on their bloated squad, with players such as Havertz, Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante just some of the names to move on.
Boosting their attack with the additions of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson from RB Leipzig and Villarreal respectively, the Blues will be expected to bring in even more players. A new goalkeeper will be one of those following Edouard Mendy’s move to Saudi Arabia, with potentially two midfielders and another striker also on the wishlist as they look to build the best possible squad for Pochettino.
More will also be expected of the January additions, most notably players such as Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez, with Colwill possibly someone who could play a big role following his return from his year on loan at Brighton. Pochettino has a big task on his hands at Stamford Bridge given everything that has happened there over the past 12 months, but he proved at Tottenham that he can revitalise a team and get them firmly back on track.
And what Tottenham now need to do….
Already making a quick move in the transfer market to sign Dejan Kulusevski, Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison on permanent deals, there’s still plenty for Tottenham to do ahead of the new season. A couple of new centre-backs are required and then also another option to play out wide following the departures of Lucas Moura and Arnaut Danjuma.
Already needing to make a number of new signings before the start of the 2023/24 season, the business of their rivals, as mentioned above, shows that Daniel Levy and Tottenham cannot afford to stand still. Spurs need to carry on the way they have started in the transfer market and ideally give Postecoglou a couple of new incomings prior to the team departing for Australia as they begin their pre-season schedule.
