"Next Marcelo" a Spurs Target as Thomas Frank Looks to Address Problems
Souza in Talks With Struggling Spurs
Despite splurging around €210 million on summer signings, Tottenham’s full-back position remains a weak point in the team. The presence of Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel certainly added some extra firepower to their attack. The full-back options of Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, Pedro Porro and Djed Spence are not good enough to earn them a spot in Europe.
Without stability and quality in the wide defensive position, opponents have an easy route into the Spurs half, and though they boast 30 goals, they have conceded only three fewer than that, and for the most part, that is down to constant lapses in wide position.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Tottenham Hotspur have made a fresh offer to Santos worth in the region of £13M for Brazilian left-back Souza.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 7, 2026
The 19-year-old is keen on the move to the Premier League but. Santos are yet to answer.
Brazilian club want a good sell-on as part of any deal.… pic.twitter.com/8kP83Ng5A7
As such, Spurs have made it their priority to bring in fresh legs in the full-back positions, and Brazilian teenager Souza tops their wishlist this January.
Who is Souza?
Born Joao Victor de Souza Menezes, 19-year-old Souza is currently Brazilian side Santos's first-choice left back despite his tender age of 19. His left-sided preference, means that he engages in direct link-up with none other than Neymar Jr, who I’m sure is providing quite the education on what is needed to be successful in Europe.
Though he only has 38 senior games to his name, the teenager has impressed in his short time at Santos, and has accumulated four assists and a goal in that time. He has also represented Brazil at the U17 level on 12 occasions, giving him vital experience at the international level.
Having shown such promise so early in his career, it was inevitable that eventually, a top European side would come knocking, and there are few more in need than Tottenham Hotspur.
Thomas Frank’s side have won just one of their last six, sit 14th in the Premier League, and now even their manager is being targeted after being seen drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup after last night’s 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth.
Spurs desperately need a bit of positive news to steal the limelight, and the potential acquisition of Souza would be just that. With a market value of £4 million, it appears that Tottenham would have to pay over the odds to sign the Brazilian, with the current figure being thrown around in the ballpark of £13 million.
They are also not helped by the fact that fellow London strugglers Chelsea are also showing interest in the full-back, with the Blues desperate to find some quality squad depth for Marc Cucurella, who perhaps let fatigue get the better of him with his red card against Fulham yesterday. AC Milan are also showing interest.
✨🇧🇷𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚 & 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦 are battling for 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐒 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐲 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐙𝐀 (𝟏𝟗)
— The Stat Guy (@The_Stat_Guy_10) January 6, 2026
Tottenham, AC Milan and Chelsea are chasing the "New Marcelo" 👀
The Brazilian left-back who ranks in the 91st Percentile for Successful Take-Ons (1.26 per 90)
Brazil DNA🔥 pic.twitter.com/1NxxYvYOWl
However, it has been reported that Souza is keen on Tottenham, and is happy to enter contract talks with the club. Negotiations could become protracted due to Santos's adamance that a sell-on clause be included, but Spurs are unlikely to be put off.
It is a position they desperately need to address, and now with such a promising talent who has been labelled as the "Next Marcelo", we very much doubt Thomas Frank will let an extra fee get in the way.
Joe Ryan 
