Tottenham Hotspur have a big second half of the season ahead under Thomas Frank
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Tottenham Hotspur are set to be one of the busier clubs in January as Thomas Frank’s side look to bounce back from a challenging start to the season, which has left the Lilywhites floundering in the bottom half of the Premier League table once again.
Frank came in to begin a new era at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but challenges at both ends of the pitch – particularly in home games – have meant that the Dane has come under increasing pressure to turn things around quickly.
The January transfer window, therefore, came at the perfect time. Spurs have reportedly agreed a £35million deal with Atletico Madrid for Conor Gallagher, with the England international expected to complete a medical in north London ahead of sealing his move. Meanwhile, a €15m (£13m) deal for Santos left-back Souza is also to be ‘finalised’.
Spurs launched a major Aston Villa hijack with their pursuit of Gallagher, and should complete a second hijack amidst reports that the Villans are interested in signing another ex-Chelsea star.
Tottenham should launch second Villa hijack to secure Tammy Abraham
TalkSPORT report that Aston Villa are ‘eyeing’ a deal for former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this month, with Unai Emery’s men in the market to provide competition to Ollie Watkins and ‘emerging’ as potential suitors for Abraham to return for a second spell at the club.
Reporting continues that Abraham is ‘keen’ on returning to England after almost five years away. But that might not necessarily be at Villa Park if Tottenham were to launch a move for the 28-year-old. Spurs have striking difficulties of their own and a move for Abraham could provide Frank with the firepower he needs up front to help launch a challenge for Europe.
Abraham has bagged 12 goals and three assists while on loan at Besiktas from parent club Roma this term. He registered a career-best 27 goals in all competitions in his first campaign for the Serie A club in 2021/22, after signing from Chelsea for £34m.
Abraham could solve Frank’s biggest problem at Spurs
Spurs top scorer Richarlison has just eight goals in all competitions this term, amidst a concerning lack of goalscorers in Frank’s squad at present. It can be argued that this is the biggest problem facing the Lilywhites head coach, who may look to bring in another forward this month – and Abraham could be the perfect candidate.
Dominic Solanke has recently returned from injury after spending the entire season so far on the side-lines and there is no guarantee he instantly rediscovers his best form, while summer loan arrival Randal Kolo Muani has yet to truly find his feet in England and is still awaiting his first Premier League goal. In addition, last season’s top scorer Brennan Johnson has been sold to Crystal Palace for £35m this month after finding himself a peripheral figure under Frank, and Mathys Tel is also reportedly looking to move away in this window.
European football journalist Andy Brassell has revealed that Abraham has developed in recent seasons into a player who is adept at being very useful to a squad without necessarily starting every week, something which would make him ideally suited to a move to Aston Villa – or Tottenham.
Brassell told talkSPORT: "He's done pretty well this season so far in a Besiktas team that's not going to win anything this season, but he's done very, very well. I think really what's changed him is A, that big injury at Roma and B, the loan to Milan last year, where he was back up, but it's really changed him as a player.
"Before he was a goalscorer and hardworking enough, but someone who's used to being a starter. But since he's not been a starter, he's found so many different ways to make himself useful to the team. So if you're asking me, do I think he could have an impact off the bench for Villa? I don't think there's any doubt about that.”