Tottenham Hotspur have held informal discussions with Milan regarding a potential move for forward Rafael Leao, as manager Roberto De Zerbi seeks to add a left-sided attacker to his squad.
The Portugal international features on a three-player shortlist drawn up to address the wide positions. De Zerbi is determined to strengthen his options following a turbulent 2025-26 campaign that saw the club narrowly avoid relegation despite having won the Europa League the previous season.
While Leao remains under active consideration, Tottenham’s preferred option is understood to be AFC Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi. Reports suggest the France youth international carries a valuation of approximately €93 million (£80 million), a significant outlay that reflects the striker’s potential. Manchester City’s Savinho completes the trio of candidates being monitored by the recruitment team.
Record Spending Underway
The interest in Leao comes amid an ambitious recruitment drive in North London. Sandro Tonali is set to arrive in a deal worth €116 million including bonuses, establishing a new club-record transfer fee. The Italy international’s capture follows agreements for Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United and Jean-Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Tottenham have further bolstered their defensive options by securing proven Premier League experience through free transfers for Andrew Robertson and Marcos Senesi. Should the club complete a deal for a high-profile left winger, total summer expenditure could approach €400 million (£350 million), demonstrating the scale of investment planned to avoid another relegation battle.
Negotiation Status
Contact with Milan regarding Leao remains at a preliminary, informal stage. No formal offer has been tabled for the Portuguese forward, and the club continues to evaluate all three shortlisted options before committing to a specific target.
The weeks ahead will determine whether Spurs escalate their pursuit of the Milan star or shift focus to primary target Kroupi. The Bournemouth forward’s substantial valuation may ultimately influence final decision-making, despite Tottenham’s clear willingness to invest heavily in rebuilding their attack.