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Tottenham Hotspur chiefs have been told behind-the-scenes that they're able to sign a former Man City player in the January transfer window, and he would arguably be quite an improvement on their current options.

Spurs expected to make multiple January signings for Ange

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is currently in the midst of an injury and absentee crisis at N17, and has been for months.

A sickness bug made its way through the Spurs training ground last week as well, resulting in the likes of Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin succumbing to illness, with many other first-team players on the treatment table with injury problems.

Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert and Guglielmo Vicario are currently unavailable, with Richarlison and Mikey Moore only just returning to full first-team training.

Postecoglou's lack of depth has been seriously exposed this season, so much so that Spurs are expected to make multiple January signings in an effort to reinforce the squad in key areas.

Tottenham are among the contenders to sign Randal Kolo Muani from PSG, according to some reports, with the France international out-of-favour under Luis Enrique and free to find a new club before deadline day on February 3.

Meanwhile, Spurs are also in the market for another centre-back, and have been linked with a host of options in the form of RC Lens starlet Abdukodir Khusanov, Leeds United star Pascal Struijk, Feyenoord stalwart David Hancko, PSG's Milan Skriniar, Getafe's Omar Alderete, Inter Milan sensation Yann Bisseck, Borussia Mönchengladbach stalwart Ko Itakura and Udinese's Thomas Kristensen.

The possibility of another midfielder also cannot be ruled out, with former Man City and Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz available to them as an option.

Tottenham informed of potential Douglas Luiz deal for January

The £134,000-per-week Brazilian bagged 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for Villa last season, before departing for Juventus in the summer, with Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenchea heading the other way to Birmingham.

Now, he could head back to the Premier League just months after his Serie A switch, as has been reported by The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey this week.

Juve are prepared to green-light a loan exit, which must include an obligation to buy, and Tottenham have been informed that Luiz is available to sign in January if they wish to pursue a deal for the 26-year-old. This could be a golden opportunity for Spurs to bring in a player of proven English top flight quality.

"He’s playing less than we all expected, but we’re talking about a strong player," said Villa sporting director Monchi said about Luiz to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"There are guys who arrive and impose themselves, others who need time. Patience is needed, but Douglas’ qualities are beyond discussion. He will become important for Juve.

“He’s a playmaker and every ball that comes out of his feet has a meaning: last year he played 90% of the games with us. He was decisive."

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is privately urging Spurs officials to take action, with a "complete" player now keen on joining the club before January deadline day on February 3.

Tottenham trying to improve squad further after Antonin Kinsky signing

Spurs sealed their first signing of the winter window by striking a £12.5 million deal for goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague, with the Czech taking part in his first training session this week and appearing ready to go.

Kinsky comes to N17 as back-up for the injured Guglielmo Vicario, following some unconvincing performances by Fraser Forster in between the sticks recently, but the 21-year-old is by no means the only item on their to-do list over these next few weeks.

Tottenham could make three major January signings before time runs out, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, with the Lilywhites also believed to be pursuing a new centre-back and forward.

Spurs are among the frontrunners to sign RC Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, as per GiveMeSport, but they face stiff competition from the likes of Premier League champions Man City as they battle for the Uzbek's signature.

Postecoglou is without Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies until late January, while left-back Destiny Udogie is facing six weeks on the treatment table, motivating the north London side to gauge the market for defensive reinforcements.

Meanwhile, credible media sources have also shared news of Tottenham being firmly in the race to sign out-of-favour PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani.

The France international is not in Luis Enrique's plans and has been axed from the PSG squad completely. Spurs are one of his main escape routes, with Postecoglou's side actively exploring a deal for Kolo Muani, alongside the likes of Man United and Juventus.

Despite his misfortune at the Parc des Princes, those within the beautiful game regard Kolo Muani as one of the best attackers available for hire right now.

His best-ever season yielded a return of 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions, during the 2022/2023 campaign at Eintracht Frankfurt, and these numbers suggest he could be a golden transfer opportunity.

Randal Kolo Muani interested in joining Tottenham after initial talks

According to GiveMeSport, Postecoglou and co have been handed a boost in their pursuit of the Les Bleus regular. Indeed, it is believed Kolo Muani has expressed an interest in joining Tottenham after "initial conversations", but it is unclear whether these talks have been club-to-club or to the player's representatives.

The Lilywhites also have a significant advantage over fellow contenders Juve, as they're prepared to negotiate a buy-option clause, whereas the Old Lady only want Kolo Muani on a straight loan deal as things stand.

In light of these developments, Postecoglou is apparently pushing Spurs to act quickly and strike a deal for the forward, with Tuesday seen as a key day in the race for his signature as multiple suitors circle.

Kylian Mbappe has called his international teammate a "complete" player, and Kolo Muani's past performances indicate that he could be a real asset for Spurs if he can rediscover his form.

Tottenham Hotspur technical director Johan Lange has been handed optimism by one club that he might be able to agree the signing of a highly-rated defender in January, with manager Ange Postecoglou in dire need of reinforcements.

Tottenham tell Ange Postecoglou they will be busy in January

Spurs' squad has been ravaged by injuries to first-team players over the last few months, especially in defence, with Postecoglou not set to welcome back Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero or Ben Davies until late this month.

Radu Dragusin, their only fit centre-back as things stand, was also forced to play through injury against Wolves, and Postecoglou recently confirmed that left-back Destiny Udogie will be out of action for six weeks.

"Destiny is his hamstring. Looks around six weeks for him," said Postecoglou on Tottenham team news last Friday.

"We lose [Rodrigo] Bentancur suspended. None of the injured ones are back yet. We've had a bit of an illness bug with a few not training. At this stage, Richarlison and Mikey Moore are the next cabs off the rank, we're hoping next week. Davies, Van de Ven and Romero all kind of around the same time, back end of January."

Tottenham have already signed a new back-up for the injured Guglielmo Vicario, sealing a deal for Slavia Prague goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, and they're certainly not done there, as Fabrizio Romano told GiveMeSport that the Lilywhites could make as many as three major signings in the coming weeks.

Postecoglou has apparently been informed by the club that Spurs will be very active in January, and they're actively exploring opportunities.

“They have already told the manager that they will do something. So, I expect January to be busy for Spurs," said Romano.

“I think it could be two signings, maybe three, I'm not sure, but it will depend on opportunities. But Tottenham are exploring options, Tottenham are actively working on scouting and following players. So I think for Tottenham it will be a busy month."

A new defender is certainly on the agenda, with multiple reports suggesting that Tottenham are identifying centre-back targets.

Lange given hope Tottenham can strike January deal for Khusanov

According to GiveMeSport, RC Lens starlet Abukodir Khusanov remains on their radar, but the Uzbek is being courted by a host of other top sides - including Manchester City, Newcastle, Wolves, West Ham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

Alongside this plethora of interested clubs, Spurs also want to "strike a deal" for the £20 million centre-back this month, and they're among the frontrunners for his signature.

Lange has also been given hope he can sign Khusanov for Tottenham in January, specifically because Lens are realistic over the possibility of having to cash-in on the 20-year-old.

A deal could be agreed before the February 3 transfer deadline, and it would be a prudent one considering Khusanov is a player of huge potential.

We are halfway through the season, and it already feels like Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League campaign is over.

Ange Postecoglou's side slipped down to 12th place following their defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday and are currently 12 points off Chelsea in the final guaranteed Champions League spot.

However, the North Londoners have a League Cup semi-final to come tomorrow night, an FA Cup game on the weekend and remain in the Europa League, so there is still plenty to play for.

With that said, to stand any chance in those competitions, the club need to sort out their biggest weakness, which is their defence, and based on recent reports, that could be happening as they've been linked to someone who could finally replace Radu Dragusin.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are one of several teams interested in Udinese centre-back Thomas Kristensen.

In fact, the report claims that it's currently felt that the most substantial interest is coming from the North Londoners, although the likes of Leicester City and Bayer Leverkusen are also noted as keen parties.

While the potential competition isn't ideal, the good news is that, according to the story, the promising defender will likely be available for around £16.5m, which could leave some funds for more deals this month.

Overall, this seems like it could be a rather straightforward and relatively inexpensive transfer to get done and, considering Kristensen's ability, one Spurs should be getting done, especially because he'd be a dream Dragusin upgrade.

How Kristensen compares to Dragusin

So, the first thing to say is that, given the importance of both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to Postecoglou's system, the former for his leadership and experience and the latter for his lightning speed and decision-making, Kristensen would not be signed as genuine competition for them.

Instead, the Danish international would almost certainly be viewed as a rival for Dragusin to be the team's first-choice backup, and based on their respective campaigns this season, it would be a competition the Udinese ace would win hands down.

Now, given where they play, we can't show this through goals and assists like we would an attacking player, but instead, we can see the Dane's superiority by comparing their underlying numbers.

For example, according to FBref, the Aarhus-born titan comes out ahead in the vast majority of relevant metrics, including but not limited to progressive passes and carries, key passes, tackles, tackles won, clearances, aerial duels, and he makes fewer errors leading to a shot, all per 90.

Moreover, on top of being far more impressive from a statistical perspective, the 22-year-old should be able to add more physical stature to the Lilywhites' backline.

For example, he stands at a massive 6 foot 6 to the Romanian's 6 foot 3, and according to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, is "a unit at the back."

Ultimately, while Dragusin can sometimes be a scapegoat for Spurs, he is clearly not of the level required to cover for Romero and Van de Ven, whereas Kristensen looks like he could be.

Therefore, Daniel Levy and Co should act fast to bring him in this month before someone beats them to it.

They might have a League Cup semi-final to look forward to this week, but as things stand, this season has been a poor one for Tottenham Hotspur.

The defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday was the team's tenth in the Premier League this season, leaving them in 12th place heading into a North London derby at the Emirates.

However, while there are undoubtedly reasons to be concerned for Ange Postecoglou's team, there are also some reasons to be optimistic, such as the fact that they are the second-highest goalscorers in the league.

This impressive ability to put the ball in the back of the net could be further strengthened this month as recent reports have linked the club with a talented forward who's been compared to Harry Kane of all people.

Tottenham Hotspur chasing new forward in January

According to a recent report from journalist and transfers expert Ben Jacobs, Tottenham are one of several clubs interested in Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani.

Jacobs claims that the North Londoners have held internal discussions over the player and that the other interested sides include Aston Villa, AC Milan, Juventus, Bayern, and RB Leipzig.

The French Champions expect the forward to leave this month, and while they would be willing to loan him out, they would prefer to sell him on a permanent, which, according to another report from earlier this month, could cost up to €60m, which is about £50m.

It could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Kolo Munai's ability, it is one worth pursuing, especially considering the comparison to Kane.

Kolo Muani's comparison to Kane and why he should be signed

So, before we get into some of the other reasons Spurs should go out and sign Kolo Muani this month, let's examine this comparison to club legend Kane and where it has come from.

Well, it primarily stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in Europe's top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, has concluded that the Englishman is the eighth most similar forward to the Frenchman over the last year.

We can get a better understanding of how this conclusion was reached by looking at the underlying metrics in which the pair ranks closely, including, but not limited to, expected assists, shots and shots on target, blocks, touches, carries, penalties won and more, all per 90.

However, while brilliant, the comparisons to the England captain are not the only reason why the North Londoners should be looking to bring the "ice-cold" Frenchman in, as dubbed by German legend Lothar Matthaus.

The other significant reason is his output, as while his return of three goal involvements this season is underwhelming, he's only played 431 minutes of action.

Last season, he scored 12 goals and provided six assists in 44 games for the Parisians and the campaign before that, he racked up a simply sublime haul of 23 goals and 17 assists in just 46 appearances, which works out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.15 games.

Moreover, despite his lack of game time this season, the potential "superstar," as dubbed by Matthaus, has 27 senior caps to his name for France, in which he's scored seven goals and provided four assists, which is good going considering the level of that team.

Ultimately, while Spurs have a number of incredibly talented attackers at their disposal, adding someone with the raw ability that Kolo Muani has could be a real game-changer, and the comparison to Kane is just an added bonus.

Tottenham Hotspur are at serious risk of having yet another disappointing season, currently sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table, although they're in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup and on track to progress in the Europa League.

While Ange Postecoglou has had to deal with an injury crisis in the past few weeks, the Spurs boss isn't blameless for his side's current run of form, and he has faced criticism for his unwillingness to compromise on his attacking principles.

In fact, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has gone as far as to say Postecoglou will not remain in his job next season if he doesn't change his style of play.

With that in mind, let's take a look at five potential replacements for the under-fire Spurs boss:

Ex-Tottenham manager

Invariably, whenever there is discussion over the future of a Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino ends up being linked with the job, and that is no surprise given he guided the club to the final of the Champions League in 2019.

Since being sacked by Spurs, Pochettino has continued to impress in his following managerial roles, winning Ligue 1 and the French Cup with Paris Saint-Germain before guiding Chelsea to a sixth-placed finish last season.

However, the 52-year-old may well have burned his bridges with the fans that used to adore him by taking the job at Stamford Bridge, which makes him an unlikely candidate for the job.

The former Tottenham boss is also currently the manager of the United States and he will be focused on the 2026 World Cup, so a return to north London doesn't make sense for any party.

Massimiliano Allegri is known to have rejected a move to Tottenham in the past, but there have recently been calls for the Italian to replace Postecoglou - and there is some evidence he could be a smart appointment.

The 57-year-old has a proven track record of success in his home country, having won six Serie A titles, three Italian Cups and five Italian Super Cups across spells with Milan and Juventus.

Spurs desperately need to win a trophy of any description, having not lifted silverware since their League Cup triumph in 2008, and Allegri's history indicates he could bring success to the club.

However, Daniel Levy has been down this road before, appointing supposed born winners in Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, with neither able to reach the heights expected of them.

Allegri is also well-known to play a more defensive style of football, which would be a major change in tactics from Postecoglou's attacking focus, meaning the players may struggle to adapt in the second half of the season.

Guided Ipswich to unlikely promotion

Kieran McKenna's stock has risen dramatically over the past few years, having led Ipswich Town to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League, and he has been tipped to replace Postecoglou at Tottenham.

Back in December, Spanish sources reported that McKenna was the leading candidate to replace the Australian, and there are plenty of signs that he could do a stellar job in north London.

Ipswich were always expected to be in a relegation battle this season, but if they are to go down, it won't be without a fight, having picked up impressive victories over the likes of Spurs and Chelsea.

A relegation by a tight margin would not be a blemish on McKenna's record, given how monumental the task of keeping the Tractor Boys in the Premier League is, but he may be keen to move to a top club while his stock is still high.

Having made a name for himself as an attack-minded coach, the 38-year-old may not need much time to implement his philosophy at N17, and his age means he could be a long-term success in north London.

Managed last season's Champions League finalists

Serdal Adali, one of the candidates to be the next president of Besiktas, recently made an interesting claim in the media, asserting that Edin Terzic is "expecting an agreement" to become the new Tottenham manager.

It remains to be seen whether there is any truth behind Adali's comments, but Terzic could be an exciting appointment for Spurs, given what he achieved at previous club Borussia Dortmund.

The 42-year-old led the German side to the Champions League final last season before coming up just short against Real Madrid, and he is another young coach who likes to implement an attractive brand of football.

The former Dortmund boss said: "There are many lessons I have learned... I found out that sometimes it’s not enough to score one more goal. It’s not only about winning; it’s also about winning in style. Now I’m thinking about winning with two goals more than the opposition.

"Like every coach, I want my team to be dominant, active, and play attractive football – to entertain and be successful."

Terzic seems to share Postecoglou's view that entertaining the fans is fundamental, alongside getting results, and he could be an exciting and low-cost appointment for Spurs given that he is currently without a club.

Continuing to impress at Brentford

If the rumours are to be believed, Tottenham are looking at up-and-coming managers with an exciting brand of football as potential Postecoglou replacements, and Thomas Frank ticks both of those boxes.

Former Tottenham CEO Claude Littner recently called for the Brentford manager to be brought in, describing him as an "ambitious" coach, and his record at Brentford speaks for itself.

Not only did Frank take the Bees up from the Championship, but he has also made them a solid Premier League side, and their home record is one of the best in the league.

That is despite losing Ivan Toney, highlighting exactly why the Dane is the second-longest-serving manager in the league behind Manchester City's Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola has heaped praise upon his fellow manager in the past, admitting it won't be long before he's snapped up by a top European club: "It is just a question of time.

"I'm good in a few things, one of which is reading when the manager is good. It is going to happen."

With Brentford performing well again this season, Tottenham may have to move quickly to ensure Frank doesn't end up elsewhere, but they are likely to give their current manager a little while longer in the dugout.

Daniel Levy and Johan Lange are working to sign a £55 million star for Tottenham Hotspur this month, according to a recent report.

Spurs’ winless run stretched to four games in the Premier League over the weekend, as they suffered defeat to Newcastle United, a result that puts Ange Postecoglou under more scrutiny.

Tottenham transfer news

Given how the season is going for Tottenham and where they find themselves in the league, Postecoglou could be pushing the Spurs board to loosen the purse strings this month, as he may have his eye on one or two more incomings.

Tottenham have already completed some transfer business this month, as they have brought in goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague, and they are looking to follow that up by bringing in a new defender and possibly a forward in this transfer window.

But a new midfielder could also arrive this month, as it’s been reported that Spurs have made an enquiry to sign David Frattesi from Inter Milan.

The Premier League side want to add depth to their squad but face strong competition to secure the transfer of Frattesi, as Manchester United and Newcastle are also chasing the 25-year-old. Despite the midfielder not playing regularly for Inter, they don’t want to lose the player and are only willing to negotiate a deal if they receive an offer of £42 million.

Levy working to sign Randal Kolo Muani for Tottenham

It was reported over the weekend that Spurs have held internal talks over a move to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani. Now, according to The Boy Hotspur, Levy and Lange have flown out to France to negotiate a deal to sign Kolo Muani for Tottenham.

The 26-year-old joined the French champions in the summer of 2023, but it has been a move that has just not worked out for either the player or the club. The France international impressed at both FC Nantes and Eintracht Frankfurt, but at PSG he has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot, and that has seen him not be as effective in front of goal.

Kolo Muani has played 14 times for PSG in all competitions this season, but he has just started two of those games and has scored two goals in the process. The forward is out of favour, and a move seems likely this month.

The report states that PSG are ready to let Kolo Muani leave this month, and it could cost Tottenham around £55 million to get a deal over the line, but were he to join the Premier League side, the fee is not expected to be paid until 2026.

It also adds that he could earn £165,000 a week at Spurs, which is more than £8.5 million a year. Kolo Munai’s arrival would provide competition and support to Dominic Solanke, who has had to lead the line for Spurs for the majority of this season.

We are now firmly in the second half of the season, and Tottenham Hotspur's campaign has gone from bad to worse.

Ange Postecoglou's great entertainers went into their early kick-off against Newcastle United on Saturday in 11th place, and thanks to a 2-1 defeat, now find themselves in 12th, with a North London derby their next game in the competition.

However, while the result against the Toon was poor, the overall performance was not and showed that there is still a chance that the manager could turn things around.

So, recent reports linking the club to a new attacking signing who could help him do that this month should excite the fans, even if the player in question could spell trouble for Son Heung-min's place in the team.

Tottenham looking at new winger this January

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are one of several teams interested in Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao.

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report has revealed that Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham and Roma have all scouted and been seriously impressed by the 24-year-old dynamo.

While the level of competition for the attacker's signature is far from ideal for the North Londoners, the good news is that he shouldn't cost an arm and a leg, as the report claims that the Dutch side are looking for up to €35m for him, which is about £29m.

It could be a challenging transfer to get over the line, but given Paixao's ability and impressive form, it's one worth pursuing, even if he could seriously limit Son's minutes going forward.

How Paixao compares to Son

Despite starting over the weekend, the last year or so has made it quite clear that while he can be a somewhat useful squad player, Timo Werner is certainly not Spurs' first-choice left-winger.

That honour still belongs to club captain Son, although for all of his incredible performances for the club over the years, his influence over games is starting to wane.

So, were Daniel Levy and Co to sign Paixao this month, then it would likely be with the intention of him ultimately replacing the South Korean.

With that said, how do the pair actually stack up against one another, and would the "exquisite" Brazilian, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, really be an upgrade on the former Bayer Leverkusen star?

Well, from a pure output perspective, which is what matters most for any attacker, the answer is a resounding yes.

For example, in 23 appearances this season, the Chuncheon-born star has scored seven goals and provided six assists, which means he's maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.76 games.

Now, that is still undeniably impressive for any winger, let alone one who is set to turn 33 this summer, but it is still worse than the man who could be his upgrade.

For example, in just 24 appearances this year, the Macapá-born gem, whom Mango claims "has an eye for goal," has found the back of the net on five occasions and provided 13 assists to boot.

This means that the 5 foot 6 dangerman is maintaining a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.33 games.

Ultimately, Son is undoubtedly a Spurs legend and could still be a valuable squad player for a few years more, but as things stand, his impact on games is starting to fade, and it would appear that Paixao could be the perfect upgrade on him.

Therefore, Levy and Co must do what they can to bring him to N17 before someone else gets there first.

Tottenham Hotspur are now holding internal talks over landing a new forward for Ange Postecoglou this January as they look to bolster their ranks in hopes of an improved second half of the Premier League campaign.

Tottenham lose again

After illness and injuries ransacked the Tottenham squad, the Lilywhites fell to another home Premier League defeat as Newcastle edged past them 2-1.

Despite an early Spurs goal from Dominic Solanke, goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon proved enough for Eddie Howe's side to escape north London with all three points, and condemn Tottenham to their 10th league loss in just 20 games.

Without key men across the pitch, Postecoglou's side have already moved to sign a new goalkeeper this transfer window and are likely to strengthen further and are thought to be targeting a defender and a forward this window.

Both Richarlison and Wilson Odobert have been sidelined for much of the season, leaving Postecoglou low on options in attack, something that has resulted in Timo Werner continuing to start despite a public dressing down from the Spurs boss.

Postecoglou dubbed his performances "not acceptable" after replacing him at half-time in the 1-1 Europa League draw at Rangers just under a month ago, but the German has since featured in every game whether as a substitute or a starter.

It is clear that fresh blood is needed in attack, with Heung-Min Son having seen his form drop off a cliff so far this campaign and Dejan Kulusevski preferred in central areas by the Tottenham boss. Now, discussions have taken place over a new potential addition to their frontline.

Tottenham hold internal talks over attacker

That is according to Ben Jacobs, who reports that Tottenham have held internal talks over a move to sign PSG talent Randal Kolo Muani this January after the player's camp contacted Spurs last month.

Unwanted by the French champions, it had previously been reported that Kolo Muani had offered himself to the Lilywhites, but now it appears that this is an option Spurs are taking seriously.

Jacobs claims that the French international is "expected to leave PSG in January" and that "several clubs across Europe are interested." One of those is Postecoglou's side, who have "discussed" a deal internally, though it is stressed that they are "yet to make an approach".

It is added that PSG are "open to a loan, but ideally with an obligation", while the "French champions prefer a permanent exit", something that seems highly unlikely in January given the price likely needed to sell him plus his hefty £202,000 a week wages in the French capital.

Though things have not worked out for Kolo Muani since his big-money move to PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt, he has remained a key part of the French national team and is highly regarded by his teammates.

Indeed, former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi put him among the best forwards in Europe, explaining that "Randal has the qualities. A confident Randal is one of the best strikers in Europe. I hope he gets a lot more playing time because he will help them a lot more."

Could Tottenham be the side to provide that confidence, and reap the rewards?

Tottenham Hotspur’s defensive injury crisis has been well documented in recent months, undoubtedly contributing massively to the recent slump in form under Ange Postecoglou.

Saturday’s clash with Newcastle United saw Archie Gray feature in an unnatural centre-back role once more, with Djed Spence also having to do the same on the left-hand side of the backline.

Brandon Austin was brought in between the sticks for his first-ever Premier League appearance, as a result of Fraser Forster’s illness, which kept him out of the meeting with his former side.

Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have all sustained various setbacks in recent times, with the aforementioned players the main crop of defensive talent currently in the Aussie’s first team.

Such absences have seen Spurs plummet down the table, with the supporters desperately hoping for the return of the stars as soon as possible to help save their campaign, which is rapidly declining week after week.

However, with the January transfer window now open, Ange has an opportunity to add depth to his defensive unit, leading to one name already being linked with a move to North London.

Spurs in the race to land defensive wonderkid

According to CaughtOffside, Spurs have entered the race to sign Lens star Abdukodir Khusanov this window, but face stiff competition from various other top-flight outfits.

Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers have already enquired about a move for the 20-year-old, with Newcastle United also on the list of potential destinations for the youngster.

The report mentions that Khusanov could be available for a fee in the region of €20m (£16.6m) a potential bargain given his recent form for the French side in Ligue 1 throughout 2024/25.

He’s started 11 times in the league, with Lens currently occupying seventh place and looking to secure a third consecutive season of European football, with the Uzbekistan international playing a crucial role in their ambitions.

Given the interest from elsewhere, the Spurs hierarchy will have a huge battle on their hands to secure the services of the young star, but he would be an impressive addition - one that could push two current stars for their first-team spots in the coming months.

Why Khusanov could become better than Van de Ven & Romero

Over the last 12 months, Van de Ven and Romero have often been Postecoglou’s main centre-back partnership, handing the pair the responsibility of leading the club up the Premier League table.

However, the recent injury issues have highlighted the need for added depth in the backline, which could prevent the likes of Gray from featuring in such a role down the line.

All supporters will be desperate for the return of the aforementioned players, but one of them may struggle to regain their regular starting role should any deal be completed for Khusanov in the next few weeks.

The 20-year-old, who’s been dubbed as a “future legend” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has produced various stats in the current campaign that are better than Van de Ven and Romero could muster, highlighting what a quality addition he would be.

The Lens ace has made more blocks per 90 minutes whilst also making more interceptions per 90, showcasing his defensive qualities that could improve a Spurs backline that has shipped 21 goals in all competitions since the start of December.

Khusanov has also won more aerials along with more clearances per 90, providing Ange with the star quality his side has desperately lacked recently as a result of the injury crisis in North London.

Such figures could see the Aussie replace either of the regular starters after January should they strike a deal with the French outfit before the end of the transfer window.

The club’s lack of depth has been desperately highlighted, with Khusanov undoubtedly a stellar talent who could provide the depth and quality to help transform their fortunes during the second half of the season.

£16.6m would be an absolute bargain for a player of his star quality, having the potential to turn into a potential world beater, but it’s pivotal that they fend off interest from elsewhere to secure his signature during the ongoing window.