Tottenham chiefs are believed to be assessing their options ahead of the looming January transfer window, which opens in just over a month's time, and Thomas Frank reportedly wants to reinforce his attacking options.
On the pitch, all eyes turn towards this weekend's looming North London derby as Frank's side dream of their first Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium since 2011.
Frank also heads into his first derby clash as Spurs boss in testing circumstances, nursing a crippling injury crisis as he also navigates an inconsistent run of form. With as many as 11 first-team players currently sidelined, the Dane's squad depth is pretty stretched for one of the Premier League's most high-stakes fixtures.
His preparations took another worrying turn when midfielder Pape Sarr limped off during Senegal's friendly against Brazil, though his international manager, Pape Thiaw, then provided a reassuring update which suggested the knock wasn't serious.
“He got hit and then he didn’t feel well, so as a precaution, he preferred to come off," Thiaw told reporters.
"But I don’t think it’s a big deal.”
The injury list makes for grim reading. Randal Kolo Muani, Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma and Kota Takai are just some of the names on Tottenham's large absentee list, with a good few not expected back in time for the Arsenal clash.
Solanke is apparently "unlikely" to make his return against Mikel Arteta's side as the striker continues his recovery from minor ankle surgery, while Kolo Muani fractured his jaw against Man United, and it remains to be seen how long the summer signing will be out for.
Mohammed Kudus should recover from a knock to face Arsenal, offering some attacking relief, while Lucas Bergvall could return after completing concussion protocols following his head injury against Chelsea — even if he was sent home from Sweden international duty after a 'setback'.
Taking into account the club's fitness issues which have plagued the Lilywhites since the start of Ange Postecoglou's final season in charge, it is no surprise that they're considering moves in the winter transfer market to reinforce Frank's options.
Tottenham tried and failed to sign Man City winger Savinho in the summer, and it is believed that another wide-forward is very much still on the agenda at N17.
Takefusa Kubo could be tempted to join Tottenham in January
Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo is a player who's long been linked with a move to Spurs.
Some reports even suggest that the north Londoners have made 'several' failed attempts to sign the Japan international, but they've been given some encouragement in the build up to January as it is claimed that Kubo is keen on Spurs as a landing spot.
His contract reportedly includes a £52 million release clause, and journalist Pete O'Rourke has told Football Insider that Kubo could still be intrigued by a move to Tottenham this winter amid Sociedad's worrying form which sees them hovering just three points above the relegation zone.
O'Rourke also calls Kubo a "top player" who'd tick a lot of boxes for Frank.
The 24-year-old, who left Real Madrid after successive loan spells away to join Sociedad permanently in 2022, averaged more successful take-ons per 90 than any of his teammates in La Liga last season (WhoScored), and more than any Tottenham player managed in England that campaign too.
Predominantly a right-winger, Kubo appears unlikely to threaten Kudus' place in the side given his exceptional start, but can operate as both a central attacking playmaker and even a second-striker, which may well appeal to Frank.
The presence of a release clause means that Spurs can bypass negotiations with Sociedad by triggering it and entering talks with the player himself.
Kubo's signing could also open up commercial opportunities in the Asian market, something which Tottenham have missed since club legend and South Korea icon Son Heung-min departed for Los Angeles FC in the summer.