Club seek "swift" replacement for £70m star as Tottenham make contact

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Tottenham Hotspur are in the market for another new forward this summer after sealing a permanent deal for Mathys Tel, with Thomas Frank reportedly eager to reinforce his brand-new squad ahead of the tactician's debut campaign in the Champions League.

It will be Frank's first-ever season managing in Europe's most illustrious competition, and far more eyes will be on the Dane in comparison to his successful stint at mid-table Brentford.

The pressure that comes with leading a 'big six' side will be very new to the 51-year-old, but it is something that Frank will need to take in his stride over the course of this three-year contract.

"Thomas Frank has done a brilliant job at Brentford, but this is a whole different kettle of fish," said BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Sutton.

"Because of the expectation at Tottenham, Frank won't get time to get his feet under the table. He will be under pressure from the off. Postecoglou has just won them their first major European trophy for 41 years and has gone. So already you have to wonder what does Frank need to do this season to keep his job?

"The aim for Frank will be to keep them in the Champions League, and whether that is by making the top four or five, that is not going to be easy. That is a big ask for this squad, to compete on both fronts. We know this Tottenham team is better than 17th place, because they finished fifth in Postecoglou's first year, but other Premier League teams have improved since then."

Above all, Frank will need backing in the transfer market, and their indefinite deal for Tel simply won't be enough.

Son's very possible move to Saudi Arabia, which would put an end to his legendary 10-year stay at N17, has exacerbated Frank's need for another proven winger, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo among their key targets in that regard.

Tottenham have already been tipped to make a £65 million bid for Semenyo, but that won't be enough, as journalist Pete O'Rourke explains to Football Insider this week.

According to the reporter, Spurs have made contact over a deal for Semenyo, with the Cherries having placed a £70 million valuation on their star front man. However, if Frank's side meet this price tag and make the Ghanaian their club-record signing, Bournemouth are confident they can sign a "swift" replacement and have a "contingency plan" in place.

O'Rourke adds that there is a "real possibility" that Bournemouth could lose Semenyo amid Spurs' approach, and he could be their fourth high-profile exit of the window after Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and potentially Illia Zabarnyi, who's in advanced talks to join PSG.

The 25-year-old bagged 13 goals and seven assists in all competitions last season, playing a decent mixture of roles on the left and right-hand side.