Spurs face increasing competition to sign a proven goalscorer from Crystal Palace this month.
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Tottenham Hotspur head into the final days of the January transfer window with plenty to be sorted to back Thomas Frank after an inconsistent start to his life in North London.
The Spurs boss has been performing well in Europe, a 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt the latest impressive result on the Champions League stage, but struggles in the Premier League continue. Frank’s side sit 14th in the table, just eight points above the drop zone.
Tottenham will have attention fixed on a tricky meeting against Manchester City on Sunday before Deadline Day on Monday. Another home defeat could see Spurs drop to 16th in the table.
Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani linked with Tottenham exits
As Frank works out his tactics to face title-chasing City, those in the boardroom must be pushing to sign new attacking impetus. The current options at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are not doing the job.
Richarlison has eight goals across all competitions but has proven to be streaky, and is currently out with a hamstring injury. Dominic Solanke has finally returned from his fitness problems, but another setback never feels far away, while the misfiring Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani have both been linked with transfer exits before the close of the window.
Tel, who made his loan move from Bayern Munich permanent for £30 million last summer, has been frequently linked with Paris FC this month. Meanwhile, Kolo Muani is being courted by Juventus.
With exits on the cards, Tottenham have also been linked with incomings. Raheem Sterling has been made a free agent following his release from Chelsea and The Daily Mail names Spurs as one of eight clubs looking at a deal. However, there is one player who should clearly be a top target.
Spurs must swoop for Crystal Palace striker Mateta
That’s Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Crystal Palace man has taken the top flight by storm in recent seasons, scoring 16 and 14 goals in his previous two campaigns, with eight on the board already this term.
The France international is big, strong and quick. He holds up the ball well and is a huge threat on the counter attack. With Spurs criticised for a lack of character this season, Mateta is the kind of player who could completely transform that.
He’s a player who Frank rates too. The Spurs boss admitted that he ‘really, really likes’ the player’s profile while he was working at Brentford.
If Tottenham are to make a swoop for Mateta, they must act now. On Thursday, the BBC reported that Nottingham Forest had seen a £35 million bid rejected for the player and now Serie A giants AC Milan have lodged an offer.
Italian media are claiming that Milan’s bid is lower than that of Forest, at around €30 million, which is significantly below the Crystal Palace valuation. Nonetheless, La Gazetta dello Sport believe that could be enough to tempt the Eagles, who would perhaps prefer not to strengthen a rival.
Whatever is going on at Selhurst Park, there are clearly real offers for Mateta’s services. He’s a player that could revitalise Tottenham’s season and the club must act now.
In other news, Tottenham willing to make ex-Arsenal transfer move as Thomas Frank give go-ahead.