As 2025 draws to a close, Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank will be fixed on making improvements in the January transfer market.
This much is clear. It's fair to say that the Londoners have been something of a mixed bag across the annual year, failing to produce consistent results in the Premier League - and especially on home turf - but the Europa League was bagged before Ange Postecoglou bowed out, and a purple patch over the coming months would fire Spurs right into Champions League contention in the league.
Of course, with so many outfits tussling for sway in the battle, Tottenham's directors need to hit the jackpot in the January transfer window, and many fans would be in concert about the need for a new centre-forward.
Spurs targeting centre-forward
Dominic Solanke has only played two times in the Premier League this season, and both have been from the bench. Richarlison has been the No. 1 at number nine, but the wily Brazilian is only consistent in his inconsistency. Randal Kolo Muani has started to find fluidity after a tough start to his loan spell down N17.
Many would argue that midfield must be Tottenham's priority when assessing where to strengthen, but others would point toward the front of the ship when critiquing what has oftentimes been a slow and laboured attacking effort.
Adding a first-class goalcorer is necessary, should Tottenham want to progress to the next level.
And Samu Aghehowa might just be the perfect addition. According to Spanish sources, ENIC Group have made the 21-year-old Porto star their top priority heading into the January transfer window, with a formal offer expected.
Samu has been a prolific presence for the Liga Portugal giants since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2024. His employers don't want him to leave, but a €100m (converting to about £87m) release clause is there for the paying, should Spurs' interest be strong enough.
That figure would eclipse the club's current record deal of £65m for the signing of Solanke.
Why Samu would be perfect for Spurs
Samu has yet to try his hand in the Premier League, but it's not wild to say that he has the qualities to become Tottenham's main man at the front of the ship, and his expensive arrival could spell the end for Kolo Muani, who has failed to score or assist across ten matches in the Premier League.
The 26-year-old has struggled for service, in fairness, and he bagged twice during that frantic 5-3 defeat to employers Paris Saint-Germain, but he's missed four big chances in the league and has only completed 29% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.
He'll need to show more soon, especially with Samu in Spurs' sights. The Spain striker is on the fast track to superstardom, and he could become a mainstay in an exciting period for the north London club if purchased before more clubs raise their own interest.
Note that Samu is now dribbling at a frequent rate for a centre-forward, having been reserved in his movement last season. One of Kolo Muani's strongest attributes is his speed and carrying, though that's not to say he's one-dimensional, with Les Bleus teammate Kylian Mbappe even hailing him as the "complete" forward.
Samu could be his equal in that regard, and he's still growing as an elite frontman.
This isn't just a target man. Samu has that rare quality as a strong and towering talisman to contort his body with frame-belying athleticism, as evidenced by one outrageous scissor kick in the Europa League last season.
Moreover, he ranks among the top 16% of positional peers in Liga Portugal for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, emphasising his attacking dynamism.
Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.
Journalist Zach Lowy has noted that he can become "one of the best strikers in Europe", already maintaining clinical levels to rival most across the continent.
Would he be an upgrade on Kolo Muani? He certainly has more potential, and with the Frenchman ebbing and flowing in north London as a loanee, it's unlikely that ENIC Group would exercise any option to tie him down permanently without a sharp uptick in fortunes over the business months of the campaign.