Tottenham Hotspur have work to do now that Christmas is done and dusted, with Thomas Frank's side languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League just before the season's midpoint.
But this is a new project, and the mistakes of the past have precluded instantaneous success. The Lewis Family recognise this and have given Frank their backing, with investment set to come in 2026.
Spurs have already been knocked back on that front. However, missing out on Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City wouldn't have solved all the Londoners' attacking problems, with the struggles of Richarlison and Dominic Solanke at number nine underscoring the need for a new out-and-out striker.
Spurs seeking Richarlison & Solanke upgrade
Richarlison has been Tottenham's number one pick at centre-forward this season, and though he's scored eight goals across all competitions, the Brazilian continues to ebb and flow.
When he's on his A-game, he's a fun and effective watch, but Richarlison can also flatter to deceive, and do so too consistently.
Solanke, meanwhile, has been absent through injury for most of the campaign, and it would be negligent to heap too much trust in a striker who has yet to prove they can maintain fitness levels for an outfit looking to challenge across multiple fronts.
Spurs might have missed out on Semenyo, but they can now use those put-aside funds to sign a number nine.
Well, Tottenham may look to return to their interest in Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, having been reported to have been preparing a bid for the towering talisman earlier in December.
Mateta has been agitating to leave. The France international's contract talks stalled last month, with a number of clubs across Europe interested in snapping him up.
With the 28-year-old such an in-demand commodity, Tottenham chiefs will need to act quickly and perhaps lodge an opening offer when the winter transfer window swings open in less than a week.
Why Mateta is perfect for Spurs
Crystal Palace have become quite the force in the Premier League over the past few years; and in 2025, the Selhurst Park side have won the FA Cup and the Community Shield.
Mateta's destructive attacking performances have been crucial in achieving this.
The 6 foot 3 powerhouse has had to work get himself up to this coveted level, but he's undoubtedly grown into a superstar, with his strength and style sure to see him overtake the likes of Richarlison and Solanke right from the get-go if welcomed to Frank's Spurs system.
Richarlison has been comparatively prolific this year, but he's been known to drift in and out of purple patches, and Tottenham need someone more reliable.
Solanke, moreover, has scarcely featured, suffering from wretched misfortune on the fitness front since completing an initial £55m move from Bournemouth to the club in 2024.
Mateta is big and strong and fast, with a natural nose for goals that makes him the perfect forward to cement themselves as the spearhead of Frank's system and feed off those around him.
Very different players, but the desire to sign Semenyo underlines Tottenham's desire for more offensive directness, and Semenyo would add that to the ranks, sharper and more consistent than Richarlison. In regard to Solanke, the best ability is availability, is it not?
Mateta is the very epitome of hard graft, having picked himself up from the wayside in the English top flight and become one of the most consistent goalscorers in the division.
Indeed, since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, the France international has only been outscored by a select few elite marksmen: Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins.
Truly, this is "one of the best strikers in the Premier League", as has been claimed by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson.
Tottenham must not pass up the opportunity to sign him, thus adding a new first-choice striker to Frank's fold.