Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank says Spurs will be active in January transfer window but refuses to comment on Brennan Johnson rumours

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank will return to his former club, Brentford, on New Year's Day for the first time since leaving in the summer to join Spurs. Ahead of that match, he spoke to the media and answered questions about the winter transfer window. Despite saying the club will be active, Frank would not be drawn on the future of Brennan Johnson, who has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has refused to comment on the future of Brennan Johnson, following reports that the club have agreed a deal with Crystal Palace for the sale of the Wales international.

According to The Athletic, a £35 million agreement has reportedly been settled on by Spurs and Palace ahead of the winter transfer window opening on New Year’s Day.

Asked for clarification of Johnson’s situation during his pre-match press conference ahead of their Premier League game against Brentford, Frank said: "Again, this is the third time I think I get that question, so there's rumours out there. In general, I'm not commenting on that.

"No matter if we want to sign or sell a player or get a staff member in or out, I have no interest in commenting either way."

Johnson has only made six Premier League starts since Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou as manager in the summer.

The 24-year-old - who arrived at Spurs from Nottingham Forest in 2023 - has not found the net in the league since their win at Manchester City in August.

Johnson did, however, score in their UEFA Champions League win against FC Copenhagen in November, before being sent off in the same match.

Asked if Johnson would be part of the squad for their first match of 2026 against Brentford on New Year’s Day, Frank said: "He contributed to a very good and important win against Crystal Palace.

"He trained very well today. I expect him fully to be available and able to play against Brentford."

Johnson was Tottenham’s leading scorer in all competitions last season with 18 goals.

That included arguably the biggest goal of his career, as he got the winner in the UEFA Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao.

Despite remaining coy about Johnson’s future, Frank did open up about his desire to be active in the transfer window.

"We will be in the market," Frank said. "We are definitely interested in, if we can, strengthening the squad. We will do that.

"I've said it a few times before that things are important. Of course, different types you can add to a squad, but the main bit is the ones we add need to be ones that we really think can improve the team.

"And then, like normal, there can be outgoings if you want to try to make a share of the squad."

Brentford return not 'business as usual' for Frank

Tottenham will kick off 2026 with a trip to Brentford, as Frank returns to his former club for the first time since switching west London for north in the summer.

Frank started life at Brentford as an assistant to Dean Smith, before taking over in the top job following Smith’s sacking in 2018.

He then guided the club to promotion to the Premier League - at the second time of asking - via the Championship play-offs in 2021, before establishing them as a top-flight outfit until his departure for Spurs in the summer of 2025.

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Looking ahead to his return to the club, Frank said: "That one cannot be business as usual. That is special.

"I don't think I have thought that much about a game when it's coming back to me. And I'm actually happy that I have those emotions, because that means it meant something to me. The nine years I spent at Brentford, almost seven as a head coach.

"Brentford Football Club, the fans and especially the people I work closely with, have a special place in my heart.

"That's the longest time I've ever been at a club, and we achieved incredible things together. So that is very, very special."

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