Tottenham are considering a swoop for 280-goal striker Mauro Icardi, with the experienced star remaining a free agent following his departure from Galatasaray during the summer. The Argentine, who enjoyed four campaigns in Turkey, is receptive to a new opportunity and evaluating his prospects - though Spurs would be unable to register him until the New Year.
His current status has piqued Spurs' interest as they persist in their frantic hunt for an opening Premier League strike of the season. It marks the first occasion in the club's history that they've endured four league fixtures without finding the net. Roberto De Zerbi's squad have drawn two and lost two in the league, defeated by Brentford and Newcastle, shipping eight goals and tumbling to 17th in the standings.
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Their woes were deepened by a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round, ending their participation in the tournament. Tottenham's bid to bolster their attacking prowess has prompted the club to consider a move for Icardi, according to Italian publication Cronache di Spogliatoio (via The Sun). The former Inter, PSG and Galatasaray frontman has never featured in the Premier League and is now 33 years old but he knows where the back of the net is with 280 career goals from 517 matches.
Journalist Nahuel Ferreira also adds that Olympiacos conducted 'formal talks' last week in a bid to secure the former Argentina international. Nevertheless, his £8.6m-a-year wages are believed to be significantly above the Greek club's salary framework.
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For Spurs, who invested substantially this summer, spending £100m on Sandro Tonali and £85m on Mateus Fernandes, the opportunity to secure Icardi on a free transfer would provide established quality without further inflating their considerable transfer expenditure. Tottenham's offensive restructuring pressed on with Omar Marmoush joining on loan from Manchester City, subject to a £60m obligation to buy, alongside winger Savio for a further £85m. Marmoush has demonstrated glimpses of ability in recent matches but remains without a goal in Spurs colours.
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Dominic Solanke, who has spearheaded the attack against Charlton and Everton this campaign, is also struggling, netting one goal from six games in all competitions so far this term.
Richarlison was also left out of the Premier League squad, omitted from Tottenham’s 25‑man list. His last appearance since Spurs' 3-0 opening-day loss to Brentford in late August. The Brazilian now confronts an extended period away from action in N17 until at least January, following his dramatic rift with the club and the breakdown of potential summer transfers to Trabzonspor and Vasco da Gama.
Discussing his team's difficulties in front of goal, De Zerbi maintained: "I came last season when the s*** was like this (puts his hand up to his forehead), you know? S***, I repeat. And I've always been, not positive, but realistic. Now I explained, I'm sorry for the results, but it's not immediate, no? Not the improvement, not immediate to make a team.
"We didn't score, we didn't win, but today [against Everton last week] and Nottingham, I think we played as a team. And I can't say nothing as an attitude, as a behaviour of the players, no, no. I said to stay calm, maybe to not lose the confidence because we are not scoring, we are not winning. Stay calm, improve, work hard and individually try to understand where is the improvement, no?".
Should Spurs successfully secure Icardi's signature, they would be unable to register him until January, as their squad list cannot be modified again until the transfer window reopens at the beginning of 2027.