Transfer-less Tottenham make Premier League history

Matt Stead
Daniel Levy Spurs

Tottenham have become the first team in Premier League history not to make a summer signing since the transfer window’s inception in 2003.

Spurs failed to make an addition to their squad over the summer, meaning they will go into the new season with the same squad that finished the last one.

The club were linked with a number of names, notably Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, for who they had a £25million bid rejected on Wednesday.

Their failure to bring anyone in is the first time a Premier League club has not made a signing in the 15 years of the summer transfer window.

It is at odds with boss Mauricio Pochettino’s perceived wish, where he challenged the club to be “brave and take risks” at the end of last season.

The tonic to that lack of transfer activity is that Spurs have been able to keep all of their top stars, with a number of them tied down to new deals.

The window remains open to European clubs until the end of August, so there is still the possibility of players going out even after the English deadline passes.

Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose and Mousa Dembele could still leave in the next few weeks, but Pochettino has been able to keep hold of the likes of Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Kieran Trippier.

Alderweireld was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United but firm interest never materialised.