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Tottenham enjoyed an unprecedented summer transfer window but Roberto De Zerbi's side can still secure a top strikeron a free

Tottenham splashed out £344million on new recruits during the summer transfer window. But Roberto De Zerbi might not be done yet, with his strike force still somewhat thin.

A whopping 54 transfers were completed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as part of a monumental squad overhaul. Back-to-back 17th-place finishes forced the club's board into drastic action.

Manager De Zerbi was backed heavily with the big-money arrivals of Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Savio. Other new additions, such as Jan Paul van Hecke and Omar Marmoush, have completely changed the first team's dynamic.

However, an out-and-out No. 9 was not secured and with Richarlison nearing an exit, only Dominic Solanke and Marmoush - who can also operate deeper and out wide - are available in this position.

One errant injury or suspension could leave them in a predicament, so Spurs might look to the free-agent market to secure a worthy backup, with the window now shut. football.london takes a look at some viable options, including a former Ballon d'Or winner.

Karim Benzema

The most star-studded name available to Tottenham is Karim Benzema. The French striker, renowned for his years with Real Madrid, where he scored 354 goals and won five Champions League titles, is currently without a club.

After winning the Ballon d'Or for his contribution to Los Blancos' successes in 2022, Benzema headed to Saudi Arabia in 2023 and joined Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad in a coup for the free-spending competition.

Benzema helped his side to a domestic double in the 2024/25 campaign but joined Al-Hilal in February following a contractual dispute. In August, his deal there was terminated by mutual consent.

At 38, he is far past his prime and has spent just over three years in the Middle East. His wages would be astronomical and he doesn't exactly suit Tottenham's high-pressing, energetic No. 9 requirements. However, there is no other free-agent striker who boasts over 500 career goals and if a statement is what Tottenham want to make, securing Benzema would do just that.

Mauro Icardi

Another seasoned marksman, Mauro Icardi, last played for Galatasaray, where he finished as the Super Lig's top scorer in 2024 and won the league title twice. But he is now unemployed.

At his pomp, Icardi was Inter Milan's deadliest finisher, winning two Serie A top-goalscorer awards and earning himself a blockbuster switch to Paris Saint-Germain. Yet in the years since this move, injuries have taken their toll, as have off-field issues.

His current legal battles with ex-wife and former agent Wanda Nara have drawn endless attention and recent proceedings over unpaid rent and damage to a property in Istanbul add fuel to the fire. Icardi is no doubt a risky signing, but aside from his stint with PSG he has always had an eye for goal.

Andrea Belotti

Andrea Belotti was a member of Italy's Euro 2020-winning side and once had an £85m release clause during his time with Torino. The 32-year-old was linked with moves to Chelsea and Manchester United, having scored 113 goals in 251 games for the Turin-based side.

But he opted to stay in his homeland, then moved to Roma in 2022 and failed to replicate his exploits. A loan spell with Fiorentina in 2024 couldn't revive his career and he's since spent time with Como, Benfica on loan and Cagliari.

Yet he is only 32 and playing under a compatriot in De Zerbi in the Premier League could reinvigorate the striker, so he may be a name Spurs look at should they opt to sign a forward.

Anthony Martial

Former Manchester United star Anthony Martial's time in English football did not go to plan. When he arrived from Monaco, he did so filled with potential. Yet he could only muster 63 Premier League goals across nine years at Old Trafford.

Since leaving United permanently in 2024, he has played for AEK Athens in Greece and Mexican side Monterrey, where his contract was terminated by mutual consent in July following some behavioural issues.

But the Frenchman still arguably has some good years ahead of him at 30 and is used to English football. His extensive injury record and lack of work rate could put Tottenham off, though.

Cedric Bakambu

The final option for Tottenham might be ex-Real Betis striker Cedric Bakambu. For those unfamiliar with the DR Congo international, he burst onto the scene in Europe after scoring 47 goals in 105 games for Villarreal from 2015 to 2018 before making a move to China.

After bagging 58 goals in 87 matches for Beijing Guoan, he returned to play for the likes of Marseille, Olympiacos, Galatasaray and Real Betis, whom he helped reach the Conference League final in 2025.

Bakambu is arguably the best fit on this list for how Spurs play, as at Betis, manager Manuel Pellegrini used him as a high-energy pressing option off the bench. He is 35, however.

Tottenham Hotspur had an eventful summer transfer window as the club added 13 new players to Roberto De Zerbi's squad

It has been an unforgettable summer for Tottenham Hotspur as manager Roberto De Zerbi set about revamping his squad.

Spurs were bullish in their recruitment, acting decisively to push the team back up the table after consecutive 17th-placed finishes.

Midfielders Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali both arrived for club-record fees, while the frontline was bolstered by a late flurry of signings.

Despite Spurs spending around £469million on new players, several of De Zerbi’s recruits were also snapped up as free agents.

So, who do you think the best signing of the summer for Spurs is?

Rank your Tottenham summer signings

Put the transfers in order from best to worst...

Here, we have a go ourselves and rank all 13 of the club’s summer signings.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper briefly spent time on loan at AFC Totton in the National League South last term but did not make a competitive appearance for Oxford United before joining Spurs this summer.

The 18-year-old defender made 21 appearances for Leicester City in the U18 Premier League last season and Tottenham will hope they have signed a prospect with a bright future.

Cole Ramsey was highly rated throughout his time at Aston Villa and could be set to play a key role for Spurs’ academy teams. The 18-year-old is the younger brother of Newcastle’s Jacob and Burnley’s Aaron Ramsey.

The 37-year-old arrives with considerable Premier League experience and is a good backup, though Spurs now arguably have weaker goalkeeping options than last season.

A deadline day signing who enjoyed a successful spell at Fulham before falling down the Chelsea pecking order. The defender could still prove to be a bargain if he can force his way into De Zerbi’s side.

Spurs are taking a chance on Mykhailo Mudryk as the Chelsea loanee looks to restart his career. Reuniting with his former Shakhtar Donetsk boss may help the winger’s cause.

The Brazilian forward will hope to become a key man for Tottenham after struggling for regular minutes with Manchester City. He has already made a positive start but may not prove to be value for money after arriving for such a large fee.

There can be few complaints about the club snapping up the 29-year-old centre-back for free, fresh from being an almost ever-present for Bournemouth last term.

A proven leader, former Liverpool star Andy Robertson should help raise Tottenham’s level, either as a starter or through his presence around the team.

De Zerbi identified Jan Paul van Hecke as the target he wanted in defence and the Netherlands international will hope to prove the manager right after reuniting with his former Brighton boss.

Another player that De Zerbi was determined to get over the line, Spurs beat Manchester City to Sandro Tonali’s signature. The 26-year-old is already a pivotal part of the team’s midfield.

The 27-year-old appears set for a starring role in De Zerbi’s attack after arriving from Man City. Previously prolific for Eintracht Frankfurt, a potential £60m fee for Marmoush could be a bargain as he steps out from being Erling Haaland’s understudy.

Richarlison became one of the sagas of transfer deadline day, but it now appears the Brazilian has secured a move out of Tottenham

Wantaway Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison has agreed to move to Trabzonspor, according to reports. The Brazilian became one of the hottest topics of transfer deadline day.

He looked set for a move back to Everton, a transfer which was being negotiated at the same time as Spurs' attempt to sign Iliman N'Diaye. It was understood Spurs had agreed a deal in principle to sign N'Diaye - who eventually moved to Manchester City for £65m - but were waiting on the Senegal forward to give the green light.

However, Richarlison then made it clear in an explosive Instagram rant he was not moving to Hill Dickinson, before hitting out at the way the club was negotiating with his former club.

With the Turkish transfer window not closing until midnight on September 4, Transfermarkt understands Richarlison could move to Trabzonspor, where he would join Mohamed Salah in an eye-watering front-line.

It's also understood he is set to triple his current Spurs salary, which is believed to be around £100,000 per-week. Spurs are yet to accept a fee from the Turkish side and have reportedly rejected two bids of £15m and £20m.

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During pre-season, Roberto De Zerbi said Richarlison had made it clear he is looking to leave the club this summer. Yet, it became apparent Everton was not the destination he wanted to go to.

On social media, in a post which was translated from Portuguese to English, Richarlison wrote: “I've always made it clear, at every opportunity, that any move of mine to another place would also have to be good for the club.

"If it wasn't, I would never accept it. Just like I didn't accept it when everything here was falling apart and they needed me. I stayed and gave my life.

"So, I hope they treat my situation with the same respect that I've always had for the Spurs and for all the people who worked with me during this period. Just don't try to decide for me.”

Spurs did manage to find alternative transfers on deadline day. They secured the surprise signing of Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk, who arrived on loan from the Blues.

He reunites with De Zerbi, whom he worked closely, and successfully with, while at Shakhtar Donetsk together. Mudryk became the latest signing of a window which saw Spurs shatter their record transfer spend.

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The Turkish Super Lig transfer window remains open until Friday and that could be of use to Tottenham if they decide to cash in on Brazilian attacker Richarlison following the collapse of his Everton move

Trabzonspor are reportedly showing late interest in Tottenham forward Richarlison. The Brazilian was omitted from Spurs' squad to face Newcastle last weekend because he has told Roberto De Zerbi on multiple occasions he would like to leave, according to the Italian.

After Richarlison attended the match - he sat near national team boss Carlo Ancelotti - a return to Everton was mooted and Tottenham seemingly reached a seperate agreement to sign Toffees attacker Iliman Ndiaye.

However, Richarlison is understood to have stalled and Ndiaye later signed for Manchester City after they failed to land Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo.

Richarlison, whose current Spurs contract expires in 2027 but Tottenham have a 12-month option, could still depart north London for Turkey or Saudi Arabia.

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The Turkish Super Lig window remains open until Friday while the Saudi Pro League deadline is on Sunday.

Now Trabzonspor, who have signed the likes of ex-Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Fabinho this summer, are said to be making a play for the Brazil international's services.

Journalist

, though football.london is yet to verify that information.

Tottenham made 10 summer signings and bolstered their forward line with the acquisitions of Savinho, Omar Marmoush and Mykhailo Mudryk, who arrived on loan from Chelsea on deadline day.

It's clear Richarlison will face another battle for minutes if he stays put, particularly after struggling in the club's opening 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brentford.

Speaking via his social media channels, Richarlison issued the following statement earlier this week: “I went through a lot of bad things during this time, and almost all of them happened because of decisions made by other people.

“Pressure, threats, retaliation—none of that scares me. I’ve been through worse… believe me!

“I have always made it clear, on every occasion, that my departure to another place would also have to be good for the club.

“If it wasn’t, I would never accept it… just like I didn’t accept it when everything here was falling apart and they needed me.

“I stayed and gave my life. So, I hope they treat my situation with the same respect that I have always had for Spurs and for all the people who worked with me during this period. Just don’t try to decide for me.”

He added that he would have been happy to return to Everton also, stating: “If Spurs and Everton reach an agreement, I will return to the club of my heart. My intention was indeed to go back to the place where I was very happy.

“But negotiations were being done the way other people wanted, and it won’t be that way anymore.

“Despite all this turmoil, I have a contract with Spurs and I will remain at the club’s disposal.”

Tottenham defender Kota Takai needed regular game time again this season after spending the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach

Sint-Truiden CEO Takayuki Tateishi has confirmed the Belgian club beat off rival interest to land Kota Takai on loan from Tottenham.

The 21-year-old Japanese defender will spend the season on loan with STVV, which has a rich history of developing players from his homeland.

Tateishi himself is also Japanese while Daichi Kamada, Wataru Endo, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki have also spent time with the Jupiler Pro League outfit.

The executive said when explaining the coup: “Kota is a hugely talented central defender who has mastered every aspect of modern football.

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“He possesses excellent game intelligence and is two-footed. Add his aerial ability to the mix, and you have the ideal profile for our defence.

“We are delighted that he has chosen to further his career at Sint-Truiden. He attracted a lot of interest but decided, in consultation with his parent club Tottenham Hotspur, to make the move to Haspengouw. We are convinced that Kota will play a key role during this historic season.”

Takai will reunite with his former Kawasaki Frontale team-mate Shogo Taniguchi, who captains STVV and the pair could form a fresh partnership at the heart of defence.

It's always been clear that Takai needs to make key steps in his development before he has a chance to feature for Spurs having spent the second half of last season on loan in the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach.

He said after completing his switch: “At STVV, I’m joining a team that has a very clear idea of how it wants to play. In the match against Antwerp (1-4), I saw a lot of energy, courage, and confidence in the squad. That suits my style of play.

“I’ve previously played alongside Shogo Taniguchi at Kawasaki Frontale and for the Japanese national team. I look forward to growing alongside him and my new teammates and achieving great results together.”

Takai is yet to feature for Spurs in a competitive match but he'd played minutes for the club's U21 side and was included in a matchday squad for the first time last December when he made the bench against Crystal Palace in a 1-0 victory under Thomas Frank. He was also part of the club's pre-season tour of Oceania.

Spurs have previously had success sending players on loan to Belgium, most recently Luka Vuskovic and Alfie Divine, who both spent time with Westerlo. Both departed the club this summer, sealing permanent transfers to Brighton and Preston.

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