Tottenham Hotspur was looking for a new offensive midfielder during the summer transfer, but so far their quest has been of no use.
Morgan Gibbs White appears to be Thomas Frank’s main target early in his transfer period, sparking an English International £60 million release clause.
However, the Nottingham Forest star was set up for medical care before Evangelos Marinakis stepped in and put the contract on hold before the 25-year-old signed a new contract at City Grounds.
After missing his signature, the Lily White hierarchy has been hunting for 2025/26 with a bolstering to help strengthen Premier League ambitions.
Several players have since appeared on the radar, allowing many top-level talent to switch to North London ahead of the new campaign.
Latest new additions on Spurs hunting this summer
After missing Gibbs White, the Spurs have targeted Liverpool star Harvey Elliott in recent weeks. British people can use the area for £40 million this summer for a fee.
However, they may try to get away from the 22-year-old after RB Leipzig on Bundesliga’s side recently left him from Anfield and praised him.
According to Ben Jacobs, he’s not just the midfielders currently attacking their radar.
He claims that the Hierarchy is preparing an approach to land Moroccan International, which has made 32 appearances for the Fox in the Premier League last season.
Jacobs also said his current contract, at 21, has a £22 million relegation release clause, opening the door to Lily White’s bargain this summer.
Why is the Spurs’ latest target becoming the next Madison?
James Madison was the Spurs’ main option in the 10th place position in the most recent season after making a £40 million transfer from Leicester City in the summer of 2023.
The 28-year-old registered 16 goals and 19 assists in Lily White’s 75 appearances, and his final campaign was the best since moving to North London.
However, his impact in 2025/26 could prove to be limited after suffering from what appears to be a serious knee injury in a recent preseason clash with Newcastle United.
Boss Frank has confirmed that the injury could be serious and suffers from another knee problem that bothered him towards the back end of the previous season.
Their previous hunt for another talent in such a role has demonstrated their ambition to strengthen their team, and could potentially turn to El Cannas as a result of Madison’s set fold.
The Moroccan star’s move will see a repeat of the British contract to join Leicester’s Lily White before making a significant impact on the first team.
He even managed to outperform Madison in a number of key areas last season. This is undoubtedly one of the shining lights within the Fox team despite being relegated back to the championship.
El Cannas, labelled “exceptional” by analyst Ben Matinson, recorded a higher tally of progressive carrys per 90, completing more carrys in the final third, pose a threat to Frank’s side to add the ball to his feet.
He also increased his key pass per 90, completed a higher tally via the ball per 90, and was able to register the final product with Mazy Runs in the attacking area.
How El Khannouss & Maddison compares with PL (2024/25) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | El Cannas | Madison |
The game has been played | 33 | 31 |
Goals and Assistance | 6 | 16 |
Progressive Carry | 2.9 | 2.2 |
Key path has been created | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Take-on success | 57% | 42% |
I’ll bring it to the last third | 2.1 | 1.9 |
The air won | 47% | 41% |
The ball is finished | 0.9 | 0.6 |
Statistics via FBREF | ||
The 21-year-old has further improved Madison in that Aerials, the asset that will become Lily White’s ridiculous all-round option, won before 2025/26.
If he could replicate such talent in North London, he would follow in Madison’s footsteps of being a fan favorite after moving out of Leicester, making him another great addition to the team.
His £22 million release clause is to add a bargain to him, and given his soft age, it will move like Morocco will pass the platform to make a significant improvement over the next few years.