Tottenham on same trajectory as Arsenal as Ian Wright lauds transfer news he's told

Tottenham Hotspur have started the summer like a house on fire.

After successive 17th-place finishes, the Lilywhites were left in need of a huge reset, from top to bottom.

They have certainly lived up to that so far, with Mateus Fernandes the latest to join, following the signings of Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson.

After he guided the club to safety, Roberto De Zerbi has been handed the reins in the transfer window.

This seems to be paying dividends, with the Italian building a squad in his image.

And looking ahead to the coming season, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright believes that there are exciting times ahead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Ian Wright draws upon Arsenal comparison as Tottenham break record

With Fernandes announced on Thursday, Spurs broke their transfer record to bring the midfielder in.

Joining for £85million from West Ham, the 21-year old beats the £52m spent on Xavi Simons last summer.

"They are making noises," Wright said on The Overlap after being told of the transfer update.

"They should be. It's about time - they're buying the players who are going to make the difference. We had to do it with Declan," he added, making a comparison that Spurs fans may have mixed feelings about.

Rice also made the move from West Ham in 2023, becoming a key cog in Arsenal's midfield, before eventually lifting the Premier League in 2026.

Of course, that is not to say Spurs will follow the same trajectory, but it is clear that difference makers are finally being added to the squad - needed ones at that

What will Mateus Fernandes bring to Tottenham?

In midfield, the Portugal U21 international - hailed as "fantastic" by West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo last season - is simply all action.

Always looking to get on the ball and make something happen, he registered 1,366 successful passes for West Ham last term, at an 87.5 per cent success rate, while he perfected 110 long balls.

Scoring three and providing four assists, he showcased supreme quality from range and set-pieces, while his deeper role at the back end of the season saw him prove his versatility.

Alongside his passing range, he is also a carrier, having completed 28 successful dribbles, to go with his 368 defensive contributions.

Tottenham struggled for control in midfield last term, and he brings exactly that, fixing an issue that continued to plague the Lilywhites, no matter who was in the dugout.