Tottenham’s Contract Strategy: Who’s In, Who’s Out by the End of 2025?

Tottenham Hotspur’s contract and transfer strategy has evolved significantly in the last few years, and with Champions League football back on the menu, key decisions must be made. The end of 2025 will be a defining moment, as Spurs aim to balance fresh development with seasoned leadership. But who will still be in north London—and who will be packing their bags?

Emerging Talent at the Core: Long-Term Investment in Talent

Tottenham’s leadership has made it clear: the club is investing in potential. Spurs have doubled down on acquiring new talent who can grow within the system rather than spending heavily on established stars. This aligns with Daniel Levy’s vision of building sustainable success. Lucas Bergvall, the 19-year-old Swedish midfielder, is a standout case. After just one season, his impact on the pitch earned him a long-term contract renewal, a move that reflects the club's faith in his trajectory.

Looking ahead to 2025, several similar prospects—players like Alejo Véliz and Pape Matar Sarr—are also likely to remain central to the project. Tottenham wants to avoid expensive, short-term fixes and instead cultivate a system.

This strategy has additional commercial benefits. New players on long-term deals increase in market value, allowing Spurs to potentially cash in later or solidify a future core squad. The influx of fresh talent also subtly influences football odds in the UK, as oddsmakers consider the long-term promise and stability of a team’s lineup when assessing their prospects across competitions. Fans can expect at least 4–5 new fresh arrivals before the 2025 window closes, many of whom could be signed on deals stretching to 2030 or beyond.

The Need for Experience: Plugging the Gaps

While new players are prioritized, Tottenham’s transfer activity also acknowledges a serious need for leadership—particularly in high-pressure games. The 2025 Europa League victory showcased the value of experienced heads, and Cristian Romero’s role was particularly telling. He not only performed on the pitch but also took charge off it, organizing players and ensuring composure during crucial moments.

That’s why the club is pursuing experienced players this summer—those with Champions League pedigree or leadership qualities. These players aren’t meant to be long-term fixes but are essential to guiding the newer core through transitional periods. Veterans with two- or three-year contracts will become critical squad figures by 2025.

Although some high-wage players may be offloaded, at least two experienced signings are expected in each of the next two windows. One area where these signings could have the biggest impact is defense. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued Spurs in recent seasons, and mature central defenders or full-backs will be a priority. Also, with European football on multiple fronts, depth through experienced rotation options will be a necessity.

Loan Strategy and Outgoings: Who’s Likely to Leave?

With Ryan Mason’s appointment as West Brom head coach, Spurs now have an ideal landing spot for fresh talents who aren’t quite ready for consistent first-team minutes. It’s likely that a number of players—Harvey White, Jamie Donley, and Alfie Devine—could head out on loan, with Mason’s Championship project offering a controlled development environment.

Importantly, Spurs’ approach to exits is not reactionary. The club wants to avoid losing talent on free transfers, so expect an uptick in either early contract extensions or calculated sales before players hit their final 12 months. By the end of 2025, Tottenham could have trimmed 5–6 senior players while sending a similar number of prospects out on loan, depending on their progress and match-readiness.

The club’s shifting managerial structure has also impacted its approach to loans and departures. With Thomas Frank now at the helm following his move from Brentford, the focus on maximizing player development through targeted loans is expected to intensify.

Known for his talent development credentials, Frank is likely to influence which players are retained for squad depth and which are sent out to gain first-team experience. Players like Alfie Devine and Jamie Donley, already on the club’s radar for future roles,may benefit from more structured loan spells.

Frank’s appointment also sharpens the criteria for outgoings. The club may reassess the long-term value of players nearing the end of their contracts or those who don’t fit into the new manager’s preferred system. With Postecoglou’s departure coming just 16 days after delivering Europa League success, it’s clear the club is prioritizing structural alignment over sentiment.