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Tottenham have reportedly joined the race for a highly-rated Championship defender, but face strong competition from several clubs across Europe.
Tottenham Hotspur’s 2025/26 season has not gone as planned, with the club now preparing for yet another major rebuild in the summer.
What was supposed to be a fresh start following last season’s European success has instead turned into a fight for survival, with Spurs sitting just one point above the relegation zone.
The arrival of Roberto De Zerbi has brought some hope of stabilising the situation, but it has also highlighted the need for significant changes to the squad.
Recruitment was likely a key topic during discussions with the Italian, with concerns that the current squad may not fully suit his style of play.
Spurs sporting director Johan Lange has promised a huge summer, and the club have already been linked with several potential targets.
Tottenham join race for Tom Atcheson as transfer battle heats up
According to TEAMTALK, Tottenham have made an enquiry for Blackburn Rovers defender Tom Atcheson, who recently signed a long-term contract with the Championship side.
The 19-year-old has quickly emerged as one of the most promising young defenders in England despite only making his senior debut in December.
Atcheson has already established himself as a regular for Blackburn and recently made his full international debut for Northern Ireland in a 1-1 draw against Wales.
However, Tottenham are far from alone in their interest. A number of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Newcastle United, Sunderland, Everton, Brentford and Brighton, are all said to be monitoring the situation.
There is also interest from across Europe, with RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta and Napoli all reportedly keeping tabs on the teenager.
Atcheson’s performances have caught attention for his physical presence and aerial ability, with the defender averaging 3.1 aerial duels won per game.
Tottenham likely to prioritise experienced centre-backs this summer
Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven have both remained quiet on their futures, and with strong interest from top European clubs, Spurs could be forced into a difficult decision.
Even the departure of one would require Tottenham to bring in a proven centre-back rather than relying solely on young prospects.
If Atcheson were to arrive, he would likely be seen as one for the future and could even be sent out on loan to continue his development. Spurs must also consider integrating Luka Vuskovic, who has impressed during his loan spell in Germany.
Reports suggest Tottenham are also monitoring Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke and AS Roma’s Evan Ndicka as more established options.
However, the ideal scenario for Spurs may still be to retain one of Romero or Van de Ven and build around that core alongside Vuskovic.
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