Tottenham Hotspur continue their summer recruitment drive after reportedly agreeing to an £85 million deal with West Ham United for Mateus Fernandes. However, history suggests that their record-breaking signings have produced mixed results over the years.
The Portuguese midfielder is only a medical away from sealing his move to north London. But before Spurs supporters start celebrating, it’s worth reflecting on how previous high-profile signings have turned out for the club.
In anticipation of Fernandes’ arrival, we have reviewed and ranked Tottenham’s 10 costliest transfers in their history. It should also be noted that Jan Paul van Hecke, who ranks as their fifth most expensive signing, has yet to make his debut for the club and is therefore not included in this list.
Tanguy Ndombele epitomised flair without effort, a frustration shared by many Tottenham supporters due to his lack of work rate. The Frenchman joined the club for a then-record £55 million fee but struggled to justify even a fraction of that valuation. His attitude issues were publicly criticised by Jose Mourinho, who regularly voiced his displeasure through the media. Ndombele eventually departed as a free agent in 2024, leaving Tottenham with a significant financial loss within just four years.
Dominic Solanke’s 19 Premier League goals for Bournemouth in the 2023-24 season convinced Spurs to spend £55 million on him. However, the club perhaps should have paid closer attention to his overall career statistics rather than one standout campaign. Solanke had never been a prolific scorer, with his previous best tally being 29 goals in 46 games in the Championship. Unsurprisingly, he struggled to replicate that form at Tottenham, netting nine goals in his debut season before injuries and a dip in confidence restricted him to just three in 15 appearances the following year. Despite that, he remains Spurs’ main striker heading into the upcoming season — a decision that may again prove costly.
After Eberechi Eze opted to join Arsenal, Tottenham shifted their focus to Xavi Simons. Yet, the former RB Leipzig player has struggled to adapt to Premier League football. In his 28 league appearances, he contributed only five assists and scored twice, prompting many fans to question the club’s decision to invest heavily in him. A brief resurgence in form was cut short when he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and the World Cup. Simons is not expected to return until sometime in 2027.
Davinson Sanchez was a dependable defender but never fully suited Tottenham’s tactical system. A key member of Ajax’s side that reached the Champions League quarter-finals, he found it difficult to replicate that form in north London. His performances varied under different managers, and he eventually fell out of favour.
Mohammed Kudus’ Tottenham career remains difficult to evaluate, given his lengthy spell on the sidelines. He started brightly, recording two assists in his debut match and scoring six goals in the team’s first ten fixtures. However, his productivity declined sharply thereafter, with just one goal and one assist from November to early January before a hamstring injury ruled him out for the rest of the campaign and the World Cup. Spurs fans will be eager to see if he can recapture that early form when he returns fully fit next season.
Brennan Johnson ranks highly on this list for one reason — a single, unforgettable goal. The forward arrived from Nottingham Forest with a strong reputation but failed to live up to expectations. Now at Crystal Palace, he has yet to score in 26 appearances for the south London side. However, Spurs fans will forever remember him for scoring the decisive goal in the Europa League final — a strike that arguably justified his £47.5 million transfer fee.
Richarlison may not be among the Premier League’s most clinical forwards, but 32 goals in 133 appearances is far from poor. The Brazilian, however, is notoriously inconsistent. He began last season in excellent form, appearing capable of hitting 15+ goals, only for his performances to fade, as they often do. While he has been a useful contributor, it’s debatable whether his £50 million transfer fee was justified. His flamboyant goal celebrations have also divided opinion among supporters.
Gray’s 2025-26 season was marked by constant positional changes, as injuries to key players forced him to fill multiple roles — six in total. Ideally suited to playing as a defensive midfielder, he could settle into that position more permanently following Tottenham’s summer reinforcements. Still only 20 years old and approaching 100 appearances for the club, he has plenty of time to grow into his transfer value.
James Maddison has only played one full season for Tottenham due to a long-term injury that sidelined him last year. His return is one of the reasons fans are optimistic about the coming campaign. At his best, Maddison is among the most creative playmakers in the Premier League, having been directly involved in 37 goals across 78 appearances for Spurs. Now 29 and recovering from injury, questions remain about whether he can fully regain his old form — but if he does, his £40 million price tag will continue to look like smart business.
Cristian Romero may have his limitations, but among Tottenham’s top signings, he has arguably been the most consistent performer. The Argentine centre-back has made 156 appearances for the club, often displaying the qualities of a top-level Premier League defender. Yet, his fiery temperament remains his biggest flaw — he has received six red cards since joining Spurs. With a potential exit on the horizon this summer, Tottenham can still reflect positively on his £42.5 million signing, which provided five seasons of largely solid service at the back.
