Tottenham Hotspur will close the door on 2025 as the reigning Europa League champions, but that silver-laden success is tainted by the turmoil that has prevented the club from making headway on the domestic front.
While Ange Postecoglou's dismissal was understandable after Spurs slumped to a 17th-place Premier League finish last season, Thomas Frank's early reign has left much to be desired, though the weekend win at Crystal Palace has eased the pressure on the Danish tactician.
Now, it's time to spend. The Lewis family have given the manager their backing. While Micky van de Ven's contract renewal is taking precedence, the north Londoners are also in desperate need of a freshen-up in the final third.
Spurs planning to sign a new forward
Tottenham's number nines have left something to be desired this season. Richarlison can't stay consistent. Randal Kolo Muani has struggled to adapt. Dominic Solanke can't stay fit. Reinforcements are needed.
Football.london's Alasdair Gold has acknowledged Tottenham need to sign a left-back, following Destiny Udogie's latest injury, and a left winger, following Heung-min Son's summer sale to LAFC, but there is also a desire to land a top-class centre-forward.
And according to the well-connected correspondent, Porto striker Samu Aghehowa remains high in Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici's reckoning.
Valued at £70m, the 21-year-old has been on Spurs' radar for a while, and it's beginning to look like a formal move could be in the pipeline.
Why Samu would be a Solanke upgrade
Chelsea tried to sign Samu in 2024 before he completed a cut-price move from Atletico Madrid to Porto, but this spell in Portugal may have bore dividends for the young striker.
Now, he's ready for the Premier League, and he has the skills to become Spurs' main man, even if Solanke, who completed a £55m move from Bournemouth last year, recovers his fitness levels. Indeed, Solanke, 28, has only played twice in the top flight this term.
He's not there yet, but Samu has the potential to be "one of the best strikers in Europe", according to journalist Zach Lowy, and his prolific performances in Portugal have underlined that potential.
Moreover, he's got an eye for the continental stage, with nine goals from 14 Europa League appearances. This consistency across different spheres bodes well, and suggests that Samu could quickly leapfrog the struggling Solanke if added to Frank's squad.
Not only a deadly goalscorer, Samu ranks among the top 16% of Liga Portugal forwards for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, emphasising his creativity and pace.
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.
This presence as a large, imposing striker with an eye for link-up play could indeed see Samu prove the perfect upgrade on Solanke, who created six big chances and won 4.3 duels on average in the Premier League last season, as per Sofascore, as well as scoring nine goals and supplying three assists.
It's clear that Tottenham had a vision when they paid a hefty sum for Bournemouth's talisman, but injuries have not been kind to the Three Lions man. Perhaps it's time for a new, hungry, younger striker.