As Thomas Frank prepares for his first season as Tottenham Hotspur manager this campaign, he will want to make an immediate impact and adhere himself to the fanbase.
The Dane has the responsibility of leading the club towards the top end of the Premier League after struggling to impress throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
He will also lead the Lilywhites into the Champions League, needing to have key depth across the squad if they are to be competitive in various competitions.
However, after taking the reins, Frank will unsurprisingly be wanting to make his own impression on the side, needing to make signings who will improve the options at his disposal.
Alongside incomings, outgoings are also needed to allow players not at the level required to move on, handing the manager the funds he needs to sustain their recent European success.
The latest on Spurs’ transfer activity this window
Centre-back Cristian Romero has been a name constantly mentioned with a move away from Spurs this summer, with Atlético and Real Madrid both interested in the Argentine.
It’s been reported over recent days that a £60m fee could be enough to prise him away from North London, potentially leaving a huge hole within the side’s backline.
However, the supporters shouldn’t worry, with moves already being made to land other defenders, leading to Castello Lukeba emerging on their shortlist, according to Foot Mercato.
The report claims that Frank’s side have been keen on a move to land the French youngster, who made 31 appearances for RB Leipzig across all competitions in 2024/25.
It also states that the 22-year-old currently has a €90m (£77m) release clause in his contract, but he could be allowed to depart for a lower fee should a deal be negotiated.
Why Spurs’ latest target would be the perfect Romero replacement
Whilst Romero has been a player who has divided opinion during his spell at Spurs, his showing in the Europa League final is evidence of the talent he possesses.
The 27-year-old was handed the Man of the Match award during the historical triumph, and understandably so when delving into his stats from such a performance.
He made 10 clearances, five of which were with his head, along with six duels won, helping the Lilywhites keep a clean sheet and end their near two-decade wait for a piece of silverware.
Losing the Argentine would be a huge blow, leaving Frank with a massive task to replace the star who’s showcased his talent over the last couple of months in North London.
However, a deal for Lukeba would be a superb one, having all the tools to move the club in the right direction and fill the void left should the centre-back depart this window.
When comparing their respective stats from the most recent season, the Frenchman has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, showcasing why he could be the perfect replacement.
Lukeba, who’s been labelled “one of the best centre-backs” by one writer at The Athletic, has registered more progressive passes and carries per 90 in 2024/25, highlighting the ability he possesses to play out from the back.
Without the ball, he’s been just as dominant, winning more of the tackles he’s entered, whilst also making more blocks, subsequently handing Frank the defensive quality he needs.
The Leipzig talent has also won more aerial duels and made more clearances per 90, with his tallies nothing short of sensational given his tender age - having the chance to improve further in the years ahead.
Whilst losing Romero would be something no Spurs fan would want this summer, Lukeba is evidence that there are better options out there within the transfer market.
It's unclear how much the Bundesliga side could command for his services, but if the Argentine does depart North London this summer, a move for the Frenchman must be the priority.