Tottenham Hotspur are still in the market for a new striker and look to have pivoted after top target Junior Kroupi sustained an injury during pre-season.
Kroupi had been at the top of Roberto De Zerbi's wishlist following a stellar season with Bournemouth. The French youngster enjoyed a breakout campaign, finding the back of the net 13 times in 35 games.
Spurs were plotting a move for the 20-year-old until he suffered a foot injury while on a pre-season tour in Australia with the Cherries. He is now set to miss 3–4 months after undergoing surgery, and the Lilywhites will reportedly wait until next year to try to sign him.
Tottenham Eye Thiago After Kroupi Injury
That doesn't mean Tottenham won't be signing a new striker for De Zerbi, as they have a list of names to turn to following Kroupi's injury. A top club insider on X claims that the North Londoners could move for Brentford's Igor Thiago.
The Brazilian frontman, like Kroupi, stole the show for the Bees and ended the season with an astonishing tally of 22 goals in 38 league games. His red-hot form earned him a place in Brazil's squad for the World Cup.
There is no mention of a fee, but it's worth noting that he cost £30 million when he arrived at the Gtech Community Stadium from Club Brugge in July 2024. Thiago, hailed as a 'sensational' frontman, has five years left on his contract, meaning a deal probably won't be cheap.
Thiago Could Be The Answer For De Zerbi
With Spurs seemingly willing to wait until next year to move for Kroupi, swooping for Thiago could prove hugely beneficial. It's clear that the Lilywhites are trying to build a squad that competes for Europe after spending £100 million on Sandro Tonali and £85 million on Mateus Fernandes.
Thiago is still only 25 and adapted to life in the Premier League seamlessly with goalscoring numbers that nearly fired Brentford to European qualification. He is a traditional number nine, a fox in the box who could be the solution for De Zerbi up top.
Richarlison's future is uncertain despite his desire to remain in England, while Dominic Solanke's injury record means he can't be fully trusted throughout a season. That's why signing a striker has been on the club's agenda, and who better to turn to than last season's runner-up in the Golden Boot race?