Tottenham are hoping to add more defensive reinforcements in the ongoing transfer window.
Tottenham’s defensive issues were well documented last season as the club narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League. The constant chopping and changing of managers proved to be detrimental to the players, as they struggled to adhere to a single game plan throughout the campaign. However, Roberto De Zerbi’s timely arrival was enough to ensure that the Lilywhites remained in the top flight next season and looked capable of competing higher up the table in the coming months.
Credit where it’s due, the North Londoners have responded swiftly to their disappointing campaign by bringing in three quality defenders in a matter of days. Spurs confirmed the arrivals of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke as they look to strengthen their backline under Roberto De Zerbi’s guidance. All three players bring valuable experience and quality that could prove crucial in the upcoming season.
Liverpool legend Andy Robertson was brought in to challenge Destiny Udogie for the left-back position in the team. It has also not gone unnoticed that Spurs are now willing to sign a new right-back in the coming weeks, as Djed Spence faces an uncertain future at N17. The England international, who is currently representing his country at the World Cup, has been linked with a season-long loan move to Juventus. However, the North Londoners are only considering a permanent exit for Spence and have reportedly placed a €40 million price tag on him.
Tottenham miss out on Atalanta prodigy Marco Palestra
Tottenham were keen on bringing in Djed Spence’s replacement during the current transfer window. As a result, Atalanta starlet Marco Palestra emerged as a target for the North London club. Having enjoyed a breakthrough season on loan at Cagliari, where he registered one goal and four assists in 37 appearances, the 21-year-old was strongly linked with a summer move as several of Europe’s top clubs competed for his signature. Liverpool, Inter Milan, and Chelsea were all in the race alongside Spurs for the talented wing-back. He was also named Serie A Defender of the 2025/26 season.
It was previously reported that Inter Milan were on the verge of securing a deal for Marco Palestra’s signature. The Serie A giants were confident of beating Tottenham to his services, with the player also showing an interest in returning to his boyhood club. An agreement worth €50 million had reportedly been reached between Atalanta and Inter for Palestra’s transfer, seemingly ruling out a move to the Premier League.
🚨🔵 BREAKING: Marco Palestra to Chelsea, here we go! Verbal agreement in place between all parties.
Atalanta to receive package over €55m fee plus sell-on clause, long term deal to Italian talented RWB.
Chelsea hijack Inter move and get new talent for Xabi Alonso. pic.twitter.com/W3ktXVK6EV
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 24, 2026
However, in a dramatic turn of events, the Serie A Defender of the Year has now rejected both Spurs and Inter Milan in favour of a last-minute switch to Chelsea. According to Fabrizio Romano (via X), Marco Palestra has reached a verbal agreement with the Blues, who are set to sign the full-back in a deal worth €55 million. Atalanta are also expected to receive a sell-on clause, with the 21-year-old deciding to continue his development under Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge.
This comes as a significant blow to the Lilywhites, who now appear set to miss out on one of the standout wing-backs in world football to one of their fiercest rivals. Palestra possesses all the attributes required to succeed in the Premier League, and missing out on the 21-year-old could prove costly in the years ahead. Quick, agile, decisive in the final third, technically secure, and capable of operating in multiple positions, the Italian international could have been an ideal long-term replacement for Djed Spence at N17.
Fans will now hope that Spurs can identify an even better replacement as they continue to back Roberto De Zerbi in the current transfer window. Will the Lilywhites manage to bounce back from this setback? Only time will tell.