Tottenham Hotspur currently sit just one point above the relegation zone with seven games remaining, but have brought in Roberto De Zerbi on a five-year contract during the recently concluded international break.
The club firmly believes that they will continue to be a Premier League entity next season, with De Zerbi also confident he can save them from the utter humiliation which has seen transfer plans begin for the upcoming summer window too. The lack of creativity in midfield has been one of Spurs’ biggest problems this season, in the injury absences of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. The North Londoners managed to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig last summer, but he has flattered to deceive.
After the season they have endured, Tottenham have to rebuild from scratch under De Zerbi and assemble a squad capable of competing for trophies. They must identify players who will fit into De Zerbi’s system like a glove and enhance his squad. And it looks like they’ve identified a player currently making waves in the Championship.
Southampton playmaker on the radar of Tottenham
Southampton are enjoying a strong season in the Championship. They are sixth in the table and still in the hunt for the automatic promotion spots, with second-place Ipswich Town just six points above the Saints. Also, they pulled off an upset in the FA Cup last weekend by beating Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1 at home to reach the semi-final.
And the player who produced a Man of the Match display in the Southampton vs. Arsenal FA Cup clash was Leo Scienza. Signed from the German side FC Heidenheim in 2025, Leo Scienza has been among the standout performers for Southampton. He has racked up six goals and eight assists in 31 Championship outings, playing in multiple attacking areas and producing the goods.
The Brazilian has been consistent throughout the season, and by doing so, he has put himself into the shop window. According to a report from ESPN Brazil, Tottenham are among six Premier League clubs keeping a close watch on Scienza. Aston Villa, Everton, Fulham, and Leeds United are the rest in the mix. Scouts from these clubs have attended Southampton’s recent matches at St Mary’s Stadium to watch the 27-year-old closely.
Leo Scienza could be a smart acquisition for Tottenham
If Southampton secure promotion, they will be in a great position to keep hold of the versatile attacker. Should they miss out, the Saints would be in danger of losing the Brazilian to clubs in the Premier League or abroad. Scienza has recently proven himself against the best team in the Premier League with a Man of the Match display, demonstrating that he is ready for the step up.
For Tottenham, the appeal is clear. Scienza, an ambipedal, versatile attacker, would provide De Zerbi’s side with tactical flexibility, creativity, guile and dynamism. He can provide the kind of cutting-edge in the final third that the North Londoners have lacked this season with Maddison and Kulusevski.
However, any move would be contingent on Tottenham staying in the top flight. For now, Villa, Fulham, and Everton apparently find themselves ahead of Spurs in the race to sign the Southampton star.
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