Tottenham Hotspur are spending money and making noise. A summer transfer window that has brought in proven goalscorers and emerging talent from across Europe has put the club's women's team squarely in the conversation about who can crack the Women's Super League's established order.

The BBC published an in-depth analysis on 30 July 2026 examining Spurs' ambitions under manager Martin Ho — referred to in the piece as "Ho" — whose consistent message is that Tottenham want to compete with the WSL's best and build a squad capable of playing in European competition (BBC Sport). Only the top three WSL sides qualify for the Women's Champions League, and for years those spots have been locked down by Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United.

Tottenham are not the only club trying to force the door open. London City Lionesses and Brighton are also spending heavily with the same ambition. Meanwhile, discussions about financial regulations and salary caps in the women's game remain in their infancy, meaning the current window is something of a spending free-for-all.

The recruitment strategy blends experience with potential. Hanson and Martinez arrive as proven WSL goalscorers, while Gaupset and Sombath — the latter signed from Lyon on 21 July — represent young talent poached from clubs across the continent. Victoria Pelova, formerly of Arsenal, also joined for the 2026/27 season after her contract expired, describing her welcome as "lovely" (Tottenham Hotspur).

Behind the spending lies a significant shift in the club's leadership. Daniel Levy departed as Tottenham chairman in September 2025. In April of that year, Vinai Venkatesham arrived as chief executive, joining from Arsenal — where he was described as crucial to the women's team's success and now hopes to replicate that achievement in north London's other colour (BBC Sport).

The men's team have been busy too. A poor campaign that nearly ended in Premier League relegation prompted an aggressive overhaul of the squad, meaning both sides of the club are rebuilding at once.

On the pitch, the women's team's trajectory has been anything but smooth. A second-bottom finish two seasons ago was followed by an 11th-place result that cost head coach Robert Vilahamn his job in June 2025. Martin Ho was confirmed as his replacement the following month. By January 2026, Spurs sat fourth in the WSL with seven wins and two draws from twelve games, sparking genuine optimism (BBC Sport). The season concluded with a 2-1 win over Brighton and Olivia Holdt, 24, earning a shortlisting for WSL Player of the Season.

For all the transfer excitement, the BBC identifies growing the fanbase as a huge remaining challenge. Tottenham averaged just 1,734 attendance in the WSL last season, even accounting for matches played at the main stadium. The club set an all-time WSL attendance record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in 2019 during a north London derby, proof that the appetite exists when the occasion is right.

What makes this stand out is the gap between ambition and reality. Tottenham have the money, the recruits, and a chief executive who has done this before. They do not yet have the crowd. Turning signings into supporters — filling the stands week after week, not just for the derby — will tell whether this project lives up to its billing.

The women's first team have just completed a performance camp in Spain, including a friendly against Granada, and the 2026/27 WSL fixtures have been released. The real test starts now.