Tottenham's dream midfield: Joao Palhinha deal agreed as Arsenal's Eze transfer hijacked

Tottenham have backed new manager Thomas Frank with expensive signings this summer but there are still shortages to be addressed. In Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel, Frank will have fresh options to call upon out wide and up front.

In Kevin Danso, Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai, he has candidates to bolster the back-line both now and in the future. But there is a lingering feeling that Spurs do need extra bodies in midfield, particularly with Frank gearing up for a campaign of domestic and European commitments following the Europa League triumph masterminded by his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou. Here, Express Sport takes you through two transfer deals that would give Tottenham their dream midfield...

Joao Palhinha deal agreed

Spurs have options in defensive midfield but Frank may feel that none of them are bang on what he needs. Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr are all young, while Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur are into the final year of their contracts, leaving their long-term futures uncertain.

Palhinha would bring Premier League experience and grit to the equation if Tottenham manage to nab him from Bayern Munich. Talks between the two clubs are reportedly underway, with Spurs favouring a season-long loan for the 30-year-old, who has found himself out of favour under Bayern boss Vincent Kompany.

Palhinha was a tackling machine during his two years at Fulham and he would be a natural fit for one of the deeper-lying roles in Tottenham's midfield. Frank will therefore be relieved if club bosses manage to get this one over the line.

Arsenal's Eze transfer hijacked

Spurs are facing the sickening possibility of a player they have admired for years, Eberechi Eze, heading to north London rivals Arsenal. The Gunners are continuing talks with Crystal Palace over a £67.5million deal for the Eagles playmaker.

Eze has spent much of his career playing out wide, where Spurs could be left a man light if Son Heung-min heads to the States. But he is also more than capable of operating as a No.10, which would give Frank an extra option alongside James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

Tottenham seem to be well-stocked in attacking midfield but they were intent on signing Morgan Gibbs-White before he renewed his contract with Nottingham Forest. Snapping up a long-term target in Eze, and hijacking their bitter rival's move in the process, would therefore be a satisfying way to round off the summer.

Tottenham's dream midfield

If Palhinha and Eze are secured, both could feature in Frank's ideal line-up. Sarr played more league minutes than any other deep-lying Spurs midfielder last season so he could start alongside the former.

And the three in front of them - presuming Frank deploys his usual 4-2-3-1 formation - would likely be made up of Kulusevski, Eze and Kudus. Each of that trio is capable of playing on the right, the left or as the central playmaker, giving the new boss plenty to consider.