Tottenham are reportedly looking at signing a new centre-forward ahead of the January transfer window, which opens in just over a month's time.
It's been a promising start to the season for new manager Thomas Frank on paper, with his new-look Spurs side remaining undefeated in the Champions League and fifth in the Premier League table. However, it is worth nothing that a few of their on-field performances have left a lot to be desired so far.
The north Londoners were booed off following an abject 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea in the London derby recently, finishing the 90 minutes with just one shot on target all game as Frank's side continued their atrocious home form.
Spurs have won just three of their last 20 Premier League matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Frank's only top flight victory on home turf remains that 3-1 win at home to league newcomers Burnley on the opening weekend.
The Dane has attracted some criticism over Tottenham's 'one-dimensional' style and serious lack of creativity in open play, but he hasn't been helped by a plethora of injuries to key attacking players.
Playmaker James Maddison will miss practically all the 2025/2026 season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season, while last season's second top scorer and club-record signing, Dominic Solanke, continues his slow recovery from what was a 'minor' ankle problem.
Solanke is apparently 'unlikely' to return for this weekend's pivotal North London derby as well, leaving Frank to once again call on either the out-of-form Richarlison or Mathys Tel to lead the line.
Reports suggest that Frank views Richarlison and Solanke as 'expendable' members of his Spurs squad, and Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport believes that Tel is 'unhappy' at Tottenham with a potential loan move to Roma on the cards in January.
These claims will fuel other reports that Tottenham are prioritising the signing of another centre-forward.
Former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who's been in red-hot form for Al-Ahli since his 2024 move to the Middle East, is believed to be on both Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange's radar ahead of January.
Tottenham hold 'preliminary talks' to sign Ivan Toney
While the England international outcast has bagged 41 goals in 59 appearances for the Saudi Pro League side, he's largely been excluded from Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squad, bar the one call-up earlier this year.
With the 2026 World Cup looming, it is believed that Toney could instigate a return home to increase his chances of returning to the England fold.
According to TEAMtalk, the 29-year-old has already informed Al-Ahli of his desire to leave in January, and Spurs have taken the lead in the race for his signature.
Frank views him as the 'clinical' striker that Spurs need to propel them towards major silverware, with Tottenham holding 'preliminary talks' over signing Toney, who's also willing to take a seismic 50 per cent pay cut on his rumoured £427,000-per-week wages to make a move happen.
Toney bagged 20 Premier League goals in his best season at Brentford under Frank, with the tactician labelling him England's second-best striker behind Harry Kane at the time.
“Ivan is amazing in many, many aspects,” Frank said in 2023.
“The way he copes with pressure and distractions is amazing. He’s been scoring goals, performing for the team and driving the team. He’s remarkable.
“I can only talk about the Ivan that I see every day around the place and he’s a fantastic person around the group. He’s got that unique emotional intelligence to be aware of all the players, and every staff member.
“Ivan trains well and he’s clearly the number two striker in England, that’s proven by his goals and performances."
Other reports claim that Al-Ahli value him at around £30 million for a permanent deal and Toney has already 'directly' spoken to Frank about a move to Tottenham.
However, a loan deal may be more feasible due to complications surrounding what would be a very large tax bill if Toney comes back to England permanently so soon after arriving in the Gulf.