Tottenham are moving swiftly to bolster their attacking midfield options following an injury to James Maddison, with Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott targeted.
The North London club are also eyeing Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho as potential replacements, according to recent reports.
Maddison, 28, suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in Seoul, South Korea, on August 3.
Tottenham confirmed the injury in a statement on their official website, stating, “James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee. The injury occurred during our pre-season friendly against Newcastle United. His surgery will take place in the coming days, and James will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team. Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes James a full and speedy recovery.”
The club expect Maddison to miss six to seven months, a significant blow to their ambitions for the 2025-26 Premier League season.
The injury has intensified Tottenham’s search for a creative midfielder, especially after they failed to secure Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this summer. Sources indicate that Spurs were accused of improperly approaching Gibbs-White, prompting them to shift focus to other targets.
Among the leading candidates is Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, a 22-year-old who shone for England’s Under-21 side during their European Championship triumph in 2025. Despite his promise, Elliott started only two Premier League matches for Liverpool last season, fueling speculation about his future.
Football Transfers reported that Tottenham have made “significant progress” in their pursuit of Elliott, with new head coach Thomas Frank personally outlining a vision for the versatile midfielder to play in the No.10 role.
“Sources close to the deal have confirmed that Frank held direct conversations with Elliott last week, emphasizing his technical quality and central role in Spurs’ attacking plans,” the report noted.
Liverpool are reportedly open to selling Elliott for around 46 million euros, though they insist on including a buy-back clause in any deal. Tottenham are prepared to meet these demands, signaling their determination to secure the young Englishman’s signature.
Elliott is not the only option on Tottenham’s radar. Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, who has struggled for regular playing time under Pep Guardiola, is another potential target. Grealish, 29, has been linked with a move away from the Etihad, with Everton also in the race, according to a report from Goal.com on August 7.
However, Tottenham’s offer of Champions League football could sway the England international. Similarly, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, a 21-year-old Argentine winger, is under consideration, though reports suggest he prefers a move to Chelsea, per Football Transfers.
Tottenham’s interest in Garnacho could intensify following the departure of club legend Son Heung-min to Los Angeles FC, confirmed by the club on August 6.
Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham’s head coach, described Maddison’s injury as “brutal” in a statement reported by BBC Sport.
Despite the setback, Frank’s proactive approach in the transfer market underscores Tottenham’s ambition to remain competitive. The club’s pursuit of Elliott, Grealish, or Garnacho reflects a strategy to inject dynamism into their midfield, ensuring they can challenge for honors in the upcoming season.
As the transfer window nears its climax, Tottenham’s recruitment team, led by chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange, face pressure to act decisively.
With Elliott’s versatility, Grealish’s flair, and Garnacho’s explosiveness all in their sights, Spurs are poised to make a bold move to fill the void left by Maddison’s absence.
