Tottenham Plans to Strengthen Midfield Amid Uncertainty Surrounding Joao Palhinha
Tottenham Hotspur currently finds themselves in the bottom three of the Premier League, sitting just two points behind West Ham United with four games remaining in the season. Despite earning their first league victory of 2026 against Wolves last weekend, Spurs know they may need more than 40 points to ensure their survival in the Premier League.
After defeating Wolves, Tottenham must now aim for another three points against Aston Villa this Sunday. Off the pitch, however, the club has been actively preparing for the future by making transfer plans to enhance their squad.
While Tottenham fields a group of promising young midfielders, including Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, there are indications that the club is interested in adding another young central midfielder in time for the 2026/27 season.
Tottenham and Inter Milan Interested in RB Leipzig Midfielder
According to German outlet BILD, Tottenham is keen to reunite new head coach Roberto De Zerbi with Arthur Vermeeren, who is currently on loan at Marseille from RB Leipzig.
Vermeeren, who joined Marseille on a season-long loan last summer, has had a mixed campaign, featuring in just nine of his 17 Ligue 1 matches. The 21-year-old Belgium international played under De Zerbi during his arrival at the Orange Velodrome.
The report notes that Marseille does not plan to activate the €20 million purchase option in the loan deal, which means Vermeeren will return to RB Leipzig this summer. However, he is open to seeking opportunities elsewhere. Tottenham is interested in acquiring him but may face competition from Inter Milan.
Vermeeren’s strong ball control, ability to manage the flow of matches, and spatial awareness fit well with De Zerbi’s tactical approach. Having closely monitored Vermeeren during his time at Marseille, De Zerbi could view him as a valuable asset, although Tottenham’s pursuit faces challenges with Inter Milan also in contention.
As the futures of Joao Palhinha and Yves Bissouma remain uncertain, signing the 21-year-old could provide much-needed stability for both him and the club as he further develops his career. A move to Spurs might not only give him that stability but also another opportunity to collaborate with De Zerbi.
Whether Tottenham ultimately decides to pursue Vermeeren is yet to be seen.