Tottenham Hotspur's final signing of the summer transfer window, striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG, is poised to make his imminent Premier League debut against West Ham on Saturday.
The Frenchman's versatility will be invaluable for Thomas Frank, with Kolo Muani able to play on both the right and left-hand side, though it appears he'll most likely be used as an alternative to centre-forwards Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.
The latter didn't play in Spurs' 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth prior to the international break due to a niggling ankle problem, and while Frank suggested that Solanke could be back this weekend, it is definitely wise to have another option up top considering Richarlison's fitness issues last season.
Kolo Muani has played the vast majority of his 269 total senior appearances as a striker, and there is reason for supporters to be excited by his arrival.
During his best-ever campaign to date in 2022/2023, the 26-year-old racked up an impressive 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, and this stellar form earned him a £76.4 million move to Ligue 1 heavyweights PSG.
While it hasn't worked out for him in the French capital, Kolo Muani's head-turning loan move to Juventus last term, where he managed 10 goals and three assists in 22 outings, showcases a player of serious attacking quality.
On the international stage, Kolo Muani has always maintained the faith of Didier Deschamps, even amidst his PSG exile, with the forward bagging semi-final goals against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup and Spain in Euro 2024.
The former Nantes sensation has also been a long-time target for the Lilywhites. Tottenham attempted to agree a deal for Kolo Muani in January before his switch to Juve, and ex-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was personally pushing for him in the winter, according to club insider Paul O'Keefe.
Now, the Spurs recruitment team have got their man, but unfortunately for Frank, there is no option to buy Kolo Muani at the end of his loan spell if he manages to pull up trees in north London.
This is seen as quite an 'un-Spurs like' condition of the Kolo Muani deal, and pundit John Wenham has fired a warning to Tottenham over agreeing to a straight loan.
Tottenham sent Randal Kolo Muani warning as "frustrating" claim made
Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham says thatTottenham are taking a "risk" by just signing Kolo Muani on a dry temporary deal, calling it a "frustrating" development and explaining that other sides could outbid them next year.
"It’s frustrating that it doesn’t come with an option attached,” Wenham said.
“If it goes well, it might be that we’re thinking, ‘oh, my gosh’, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, whoever, are also trying to get the player based on his form for Tottenham this year. So we’ll have to cross that bridge when we get there.
“I mean, there’s an argument that you hope he does do that well, that those clubs want him, because that means he’ll have done well on the pitch at Tottenham.
“There’s also a risk attached to that. But I think in the scenario of having a free striker, I think it’s a risk worth taking, and I’m hopeful that Kolo Muani will be incredibly successful for us.”
While there is an argument that Tottenham face not being able to hold on to Kolo Muani, the fact he's arrived at N17 for essentially zero cost for the entire season is still a big boost for Frank.
Spurs need strength in depth if they're to finish in the top four and contend for major trophies, and Kolo Muani is exactly the calibre of player to help them do this.