Tottenham Hotspur have shattered their transfer record twice this summer, spending a combined £185 million on midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2025/26 season. Manager Roberto De Zerbi broke the club record last week with Fernandes' £85 million arrival, then topped it with an initial £92.5 million plus £7.5 million in add-ons for Newcastle's Tonali. However, the club has also balanced its books by securing several free agents, including Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka, after their contracts expired at former clubs.
Free Agent Strategy Pays Off
De Zerbi's approach combines bold spending with savvy free-agent moves. The strategy is not new for Tottenham, which has a history of landing experienced players without transfer fees. Three notable examples are Teddy Sheringham, William Gallas, and Edgar Davids, each of whom arrived on free transfers and left a mark on the club.
Teddy Sheringham: A Prolific Return
Teddy Sheringham first joined Spurs from Nottingham Forest for £2.1 million in 1992, becoming a prolific Premier League striker. However, a lack of silverware led to a £3.5 million move to Manchester United in 1997, where he won the Treble, including the Champions League, scoring one goal and assisting another in the final against Bayern Munich. After successful stints at Old Trafford, Sheringham returned to Tottenham on a free transfer in 2001. Across his two spells, he made 277 appearances, scored 125 goals, and provided 53 assists. He was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2008 alongside Clive Allen.
William Gallas: Across London
William Gallas is unique in Premier League history for playing for three London clubs consecutively. He joined Chelsea for £6.2 million in 2001, moved to Arsenal in 2006, and became the Gunners' captain before being succeeded by Cesc Fabregas. After his Arsenal contract expired in 2010, Gallas joined Tottenham on a free transfer. He made 78 appearances for Spurs, scoring once, before leaving in 2013. He later became the first Frenchman to play in the Australian league, joining Perth Glory, and retired at age 37. Gallas won two Premier League titles and two domestic cups, all with Chelsea.
Edgar Davids: A Brief but Memorable Spell
Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids arrived at Tottenham on a free transfer in 2005 after establishing himself as a world-class player at Juventus, where he won three Serie A titles and numerous domestic cups. He also represented the Netherlands, finishing fourth at the World Cup and third at two European Championships. At Spurs, Davids made 44 appearances with three goal contributions. Despite a short stint, he remains fond of the club. In 2017, before a friendly between Juventus and Tottenham, Davids said: "It's no coincidence that everything is coming together and you've had the last couple of unbelievable seasons in the Premier League. It's not a one-off. Spurs are at that level and that's why I'm so proud of the club. Spurs have created that culture. I like this team a lot. When I see this team play I see fun, I see youth, enthusiasm, football on the edge, fun football. They have fun and they are big, big talents. How can you not love this team?"
These three free-agent signings illustrate Tottenham's long-standing ability to add quality without a transfer fee, a tactic De Zerbi continues to employ as he rebuilds the squad.
