Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is apparently making plans for the possible arrival of Brentford forward Kevin Schade as new co-sporting director Fabio Paratici works on a deal behind-closed-doors.
The 23-year-old, who was signed by Frank in a £22 million deal from SC Freiburg just over two years ago, has gone on to seriously impress at the G-tech Community Stadium.
Schade initially joined on loan in January 2023, but after Brentford made his stay permanent, the German sought to repay their faith.
While he missed almost the entirety of his full debut campaign with a hip adductor injury, Schade fired back to full form and fitness in 2024/2025 — bagging 12 goals and three assists in all competitions under Frank whilst playing in every single Premier League match for them.
The former Bundesliga sensation is already off the mark and running for Keith Andrews' new-look Brentford side this season too, and he's now attracting serious attention from N17.
According to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg recently, Tottenham are among the teams keeping close tabs on Schade, and the Germany international is "one to watch" this season with his contract expiring in under three years.
Frank's obvious tie with Schade from their time together at Brentford has also led to speculation that Spurs could try their luck at a January deal.
“Kevin Schade is somebody the manager knows inside out,” ex-senior Tottenham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider recently.
“He’s had him before and worked with him closely, so he will know what his strengths and limitations are and how he would fit into this Tottenham team.
“So if he thinks he’s the type of player who would improve them, he’ll be pushing for the club to go out and sign him in January."
This is now backed up by an intriguing update via CaughtOffside and journalist Mark Brus, who shared what Frank has now got in mind for Schade at Tottenham.
What Frank has "already" planned for Schade at Tottenham
Quoting multiple sources of his, Brus claims that Frank has "already planned how he’d slot into the system" for Spurs, with another source reporting "Paratici is working behind the scenes" on a deal.
Another source adds that Tottenham see Schade as the "perfect profile" to come in and bolster Frank's attacking options.
However, this all being said, the Bees are known to be stubborn negotiators and have placed a £48 million price tag on the forward's head as we slowly enter 2026.
Frank, amid his wave of injury problems, still has Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison yet to return, and once they come back, it'll be difficult to see where Schade could fit in given their current wide options.
Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson, Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus also stand out among their crop right now, with Mikey Moore also to return from his loan spell at Rangers at the end of the season.
Spurs arguably have more pressing matters to deal with, like their potential need for a reliable striker.
Paratici and co-director Johan Lange have been linked with a move for Brentford's Ivan Toney or Juventus star Dušan Vlahović amid the uncertainty surrounding Richarlison's future and Dominic Solanke's fitness woes.
That being said, if Frank is indeed already making plans to slot Schade into his Spurs setup, the Dane appears to be serious.