Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur rallied against Manchester City on Sunday evening, showing more heart and determination than has been seen across the tough months of Thomas Frank's spell in the dugout.

It's a spell which might just extend over the coming months, and not crumble away, with Spurs overturning a two-goal deficit and continuing to benefit from Dominic Solanke's focal presence from number nine.

The 28-year-old striker has split his time in Tottenham colours between the field and the infirmary, and neither side of the coin has brought him much joy. But Solanke's physical and athletic presence is giving Frank some joy.

However, the north Londoners still leave much to be desired in attack, and long-term planning needs to see talented arrival take this frontline to a new level.

Spurs want marquee forward in 2026

As Solanke seesaws up, Randal Kolo Muani swings down, still unable to break his Premier League duck and linked with a loan move to Juventus before the imminent transfer deadline. The Frenchman has not had the anticipated impact since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long deal last summer.

With Mathys Tel unhappy and angling for a return home to France, Tottenham's need for a new forward is accentuated, especially when considering Solanke's track record on the fitness front, a fact underlined as he trudged off against City with some pain in his ankle.

According to Spanish sources, ENIC Group have identified Real Madrid prodigy Endrick as the perfect player to spearhead Spurs' frontline over the coming years, and an enquiry has already been sent off to ascertain the chances of pulling it off.

The 19-year-old Endrick moved from Brazil to the Spanish capital in 2024, but a fringe role under Xavi Alonso led to a loan move to Lyon earlier this month. Here he has demonstrated the quality that drew such excitement during his formative days in Brazil.

Leeds United and Sunderland are ready to rival Tottenham for the precocious teenager, and perhaps they feel they can offer him a talismanic role to better serve his development.

But Endrick is an immense talent, with reports last summer suggesting he would cost suitors around £60m. His price tag is bound to be higher than that, but that has proved a weak deterrent as the Lilywhites prepare to make their move at the end of the season.

Why Endrick would be a superstar at Spurs

Endrick is still finding his feet in France, but after four matches for Lyon, he has scored as many goals and provided one assist too. In his second Ligue 1 outing, the Brazil international notched a sublime hat-trick away to Metz.

Diminutive and stocky, he's a force to be reckoned with, so powerful when running and unstoppable when finding space and striking on goal.

Endrick differs from Solanke. Two attackers with contrasting styles of play. Thus, if Spurs were to sign Endrick this summer, there's every reason for the two to share the load at number nine, but Frank would quickly find that Endrick should take precedence as his side's leading striker, even with his pace and dribbling ability lending to roles out on the wing.

Solanke's strength and intelligent movement in the box differentiate him from many strikers across Europe. In 2023/24, he scored 19 goals in the Premier League for Bournemouth and earned a transfer to N17 worth a total £65m sum - a Spurs club record.

But Endrick is elite, and he's still so young. It's obvious that he boasts more natural quality than he knows what to do with, and having been afforded a platform to channel it in France, is swiftly establishing himself as a budding superstar.

Have you ever seen a game quite like that? We don't think so. Tottenham Hotspur have been troubled to say the least at home this season and the atmosphere as title challengers Manchester City rolled into town reflected that.

You could hear a pin drop inside the stadium, and that wasn't helped when City went into the break 2-0 up.

Rayan Cherki opened the scoring before January signing Antoine Semenyo, who had been linked with Spurs, found the back of the net.

The booing as the players left the field at the break was the loudest we'd heard the crowd throughout the first 45 minutes but that soon changed.

Whatever Thomas Frank said to his men at the break worked wonders. City should have been out of sight before the second half started but Spurs rallied and, courtesy of a double from Dominic Solanke, somehow rescued a point.

Yves Bissouma's performance vs Manchester City in numbers

Yves Bissouma can join his manager in saying this has been something of a nightmare campaign for him.

Left out of the Super Cup squad against PSG at the start of the season for disciplinary reasons, cited as 'persistent lateness', he's barely kicked a ball since the Dane took over from Ange Postecoglou in the summer.

In fact, this was just his second start of the campaign and only his third appearance under Frank. Although he was bound to be rusty after several months on the periphery, his display against Pep Guardiola's men was a fine example of why he's played so little football in 2025/26.

Indeed, it was the midfielder who was to blame for the opener when he was dispossessed in the middle of the park. Erling Haaland was eventually given the ball and while he did not score, he played an assist to Cherki who comfortably found the corner of the goal.

It was a moment of play that Spurs fans have been all too familiar with when it comes to Bissouma. This was another moment in which he let his team down.

It was no surprise that with Spurs chasing the same, the Malian was brought off on 68 minutes having also been booked. He did completed 94% of his passes but didn't do much with it, not even registering a shot, completing a dribble or providing a key pass for his teammates. He also only won two of his five duels.

That being said, Bissouma wasn't the only man from a Lilywhites' perspective who failed to set the world alight.

Spurs defender must be sold after Man City display

Bissouma was poor but he was not the only player to cost Frank's side on Sunday. Indeed, another player on the periphery in the form of Radu Dragusin did not cover himself in glory.

Like his midfield colleague, he's barely featured much at all this season as he recovered from an ACL injury. This was his first start of the campaign, having played just six minutes under Frank prior to this game and it was a baptism of fire.

Dragusin will no doubt have easier challengers than a match against Haaland but even so, he demonstrated exactly why he's never really established himself as a leading option in north London.

Like Bissouma, Dragusin was at fault for the opening goal. Cherki received the ball on the edge of the area, but the Romanian didn't do an awful lot to help his goalkeeper out.

The central defender laboured towards Cherki, didn't get tight enough and allowed a free shot at goal which subsequently found the net.

It was a moment that rather typified Dragusin's Spurs career. He's been error-prone and with Luka Vuskovic set to return from a dazzling loan spell at Hamburg in the summer, there surely can't be too many starts left for the Romania international on the books of Spurs.

Aged 23, the centre-back still has plenty of time left to develop but time is certainly something Frank doesn't have much of.

Of course, Spurs are hit with several injury problems right now but Dragusin must be dropped as soon as Micky van de Ven returns to fitness. That doesn't feel like an outrageous statement to make, but to quote Tottenham writer Mitch Fretton, he really was "absolutely dreadful" against City this weekend and doesn't deserve a place in the team.he really was "absolutely dreadful"

If anything, Frank is better off not just removing him from the starting lineup but asking ENIC to sell him at the earliest convenience.

It's safe to say that of all the Premier League clubs, Tottenham Hotspur have been one of the most active this winter. They needed to be too, considering how life under Thomas Frank has started.

Things began this January with a move for Brazilian full-back Souza and while they have failed to complete a deal for Andy Robertson, Spurs have added further Premier League experience by welcoming Conor Gallagher to the ranks.

While Frank's men have advanced in the Champions League too, finishing inside the top eight during the league phase, Gallagher has so far been unable to generate much of an upturn in form in the league.

Perhaps a new striker would do just that. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jhon Duran have both been linked in the last week of the transfer window.

Yet, Spurs still have a desire to bolster the backline.

Spurs make approach to sign top centre-back prospect

Even if life doesn't look too rosy under Frank, the future of the club is surely in safe hands considering some of the exciting young prospects coming through.

Souza looks like a marvellous addition at left-back and he could be joined in the forthcoming years by Luka Vuskovic, the young Croatian defender who is making waves on loan at Hamburg in Germany from Spurs.

The club's recruitment chiefs are not done there as far as signing young players are concerned, however, with reports from Spain indicating that Spurs have made an approach to sign River Plate centre-back Lautaro Rivero.

Manchester City are also in the race to sign Rivero, but at the moment, Manchester United are said to be in pole position to bring the Argentine to English football.

Boasting an enormous £87m release clause, the defender has further caught the attention of Strasbourg and Spurs, who have both enquired about Rivero's contract terms and what it could take to complete a deal.

Why Rivero could be Spurs' next Romero

Back in 2021, Spurs signed Cristian Romero for a fee of £43m from Atalanta. Since signing, he's been quite the addition, and he's never been a player very far from the headlines.

For years, Romero was criticised for being too aggressive. He was an accident waiting to happen and has picked up as many as five red cards for the club.

Yet, in recent years, the Argentine has become a real force at the back. To put it simply, there is a reason he's Frank's captain.

He's the man for the big occasion and he's come up with some vital moments, particularly in recent weeks where he scored that late equaliser against Burnley. His goal against Newcastle United in December wasn't half bad either.

While Romero will largely always be judged for his ability to defend, it's safe to say he's in the form of his life in the final third, registering three goals and an assist in his last four appearances.

While Rivero may not have the same goalscoring ability at River, scoring just two goals in his senior career, he looks like an extremely exciting defensive talent, just as Romero was and still is.

In the words of content creator Neal Gardner, he is the "next big CB prospect coming out of Argentina" and it's easy to see why. Aged 22, the young centre-back demonstrated throughout 2025 why he's so highly rated.

Compared to positionally similar player in Argentina's top-flight last term, he ranked in the top 22% of centre-backs for duels won with 6.16 per 90 minutes. To put that into context, Romero has won 7.31 per 90 in the Premier League this season.

One of the standout attributes that Rivero possesses is his composure. He has completed 86.7% of his passes during the 2026 campaign, ranking him in the top 14% of positionally similar players.

Fierce in the duel and composed at the back, there is a belief here that Spurs could land their next Romero by completing a deal.

Tottenham Hotspur still want to sign a forward.

Wanting a thing and getting it are two wholly different prospects when it comes to the January transfer window, though, especially when the market enters the final leg.

But with Fabrizio Romano confirming that Randal Kolo Muani is in Juventus' sights, the Italians hoping to see their former loanee's stint as Spurs cut short ahead of his return to Turin, there is hope that ENIC Group can pull off an exciting deal for an upgrade at number nine.

For sure, Thomas Frank and his beleaguered squad could do with an impactful addition in attack.

Spurs in talks to seal late attacking signing

Tottenham have been among the clubs angling for Jean-Philippe Mateta's signature this month, and while the French forward is likely to leave Selhurst Park, correspondent Alasdair Gold has confirmed he will not be headed for N17.

AC Milan are the frontrunners there, and Spurs already have an established Premier League goalscorer in Dominic Solanke, the 28-year-old finding form and fitness once again.

However, technical director Johan Lange has set his sights on an up-and-comer who has the potential to become a global superstar.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are in talks with intermediaries who are trying to land Jhon Duran a move in the coming days, with the Al-Nassr striker currently out on loan in Turkey with Fenerbahce.

Duran, 22, left Aston Villa for Al-Nassr in a £64m package one year ago, having stormed into the ascendancy in the English Midlands.

Though French club Lille are believed to be in pole position to land the Colombian striker on a loan deal until the end of the season, a number of English suitors are in the mix, and if Juventus manage to get their hands on Kolo Muani, Spurs might just be in a position to pounce.

Why Jhon Duran could be perfect for Spurs

Duran has led a storied professional career, and he's still so young.

From a sporting standpoint, perhaps he made an ill-advised move to the Gulf, but his team's willingness to see him back in European competition suggests that he's got the hunger to pick up where he left off with Aston Villa.

Hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as a "true monster" for his terrifying attacking performances under Unai Emery's wing, Duran proved himself the ultimate super-sub, deadly when called into action off the bench.

His speed and killer instinct in the final third make him a force to be reckoned with, and Duran's ability to cause chaos when drawn from the substitute's bench could give Frank's side the edge they need while keeping Solanke happy as he grows back into his skin at the Spurs spearhead.

With this in mind, it's clear that Duran would prove the better signing than Mateta, who has been priced at £40m by Crystal Palace and would indeed want the top spot from Solanke.

The thing is, Mateta is actually quite similar to Spurs' number one forward, a powerful and tall striker capable of surging runs into the box. A focal point, and no mistake.

Moreover, Mateta's not exactly the most clinical goalscorer in the Premier League. He has scored eight times for Oliver Glasner's side this season, but he has also missed 16 big chances in the Premier League.

Duran only missed nine big chances in total across two-and-a-half years in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals in that period.

The left-footer's destructive shooting power is a unique thing. Perhaps it's somewhat Gareth Bale-esque.

Certainly, Duran is capable of a show-stopping finish, much like that of the iconic Welshman, who similarly used his strength and electric bursts of pace to find space in the danger area.

There is that shared knack for rifling home from range in a manner that leaves a goalkeeper looking rather helpless and foolish in equal measure, with both Bale and Duran almost unstoppable when at their best.

Tottenham have the means to fashion success over the business months of the season, and with a maverick such as Duran added to the mix, Frank might just land on the offensive formula to finally get this side back on track.

Tottenham Hotspur are running out of time to make something of the 2025/26 campaign, with Thomas Frank's side's confident Champions League efforts masking dismal domestic form that threatens all.

While Spurs are within climbing distance of the European positions in the Premier League, their form has been well below the expected standard this season, with only two wins across their past 14 league outings.

The current crop have enough about them to produce more convincing performances and results over the business months of the season, but there's no question that a bit of help before the transfer window closes wouldn't go amiss.

Where Spurs plan to strengthen before transfer deadline

Conor Gallagher was once described as being "like a machine" of a midfielder by Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, the Three Lions star's former teammate marvelling at his energy and intensity.

Gallagher adds dynamism and a multi-faceted approach to his Frank's midfield, but Spurs continue to toil in attack, and while Dominic Solanke's return to fitness and goalscoring form eases the need for a new centre-forward, creativity and pace are in short supply down the flanks.

After all, Brennan Johnson was sold at the start of the month, and Mohammed Kudus won't return from injury until after the March international break.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are among the clubs to have enquired about the availability of Real Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz, but they have met Aston Villa and Newcastle in the waiting room, along with further foreign suitors, and thus must put their all into convincing the Moroccan to join their cause.

The 24-year-old is not getting regular minutes under Los Blancos coach Alvaro Arbeloa, so with the player's representatives sounding out options, the dynamic attacking midfielder is one to keep an eye on over the next few days.

Recent reports have suggested that any successful bid for Diaz would need to fall into the ballpark of £52m.

What Brahim Diaz would bring to Spurs

Diaz once plied his youthful trade with Manchester City, but he only featured 15 times for the first team before being sold to Real Madrid in a deal rising to £22m in January 2019.

Since then, he has played 141 times for the Spanish superpower, winning the Champions League and two La Liga titles. Moreover, he spent three years on loan with AC Milan between 2020 and 2023, and it was there that he was hailed as a "joy to watch" by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Italian football expert Mina Rzouki has waxed lyrical about the fleet-footed winger's technical ability, and while he has struggled for consistent minutes in the Spanish capital, that is hardly a slight against his skill and potential yet to be tapped into.

Indeed, having only started three times in La Liga and once more on the continent this season, it's clear that Diaz needs a change of scenery, with his opportunities indeed dwindling since Xabi Alonso parted with Real Madrid one month ago.

Diaz is nothing if not versatile, and that is more fuel for the argument that he would be an invaluable addition to a Spurs side lacking dimensions in attack.

Such fluidity. With Kudus out injured, Diaz can offer support on the right. But he can also play from the left, sharing out the goals and assists as he works on creating a tactical relationship with the newly-signed Souza.

He may not feature centrally all that often, but the fact that he can do so, as a number ten or even in a makeshift centre-forward berth, is incredibly attractive for Frank as he works toward realising his vision in north London.

With all this in mind, the Real Madrid man may really secure himself a successful future in Tottenham's starting line-up. He knows the Premier League and has only come on leaps and bounds in the years since leaving.

Gallagher is shoring up Spurs' midfield, but they need an exciting profile such as this to return to form and create the kind of run that will see Frank keep his seat in the dugout.

Tottenham Hotspur have not enjoyed a strong and consistent run of form in the Premier League since the early days of Ange Postecoglou's tenure in 2023/24.

Thomas Frank was supposed to rewire the north London outfit, but his efforts to lead Spurs this season have been nothing short of dysfunctional, with a significant proportion of the fanbase eager to see him sacked.

To say it's currently untenable would not be an overstatement, and if Frank is to turn things around, he needs to quickly find results in the Premier League, with Spurs 14th and out of both domestic cups.

ENIC Group have backed him in the transfer market this month, signing Conor Gallagher and young left-back Souza, but Tottenham still need more creative impetus if they are to turn things around.

Spurs lining up new playmaker

Even though James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have been sidelined since last season, Tottenham should be offering more through their playmaking.

But, alas, the Lilywhites have flattered to deceive in attack, with Frank's overly pragmatic tactics leaving the fans infuriated. There is a feeling that Spurs, Europa League champions, are regressing.

Gallagher is an industrious midfielder who will prove an upgrade on the injured Rodrigo Bentancur, but Frank needs someone to promote creativity and instil confidence and composure across the ranks, and technical director Johan Lange may have found the perfect option.

According to CF Bayern insider Christian Falk, Tottenham are hoping to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, who this month has rejected a move to Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Goretzka, 30, is one of the most accomplished German players in the world, and Atletico chiefs have been in Munich this week to engineer a deal, with Goretzka now months away from his contract expiry in the Bundesliga.

But the experienced Champions League star's rejection has opened the door for Tottenham to strike a deal, most likely at the end of the season, for the player has expressed a desire to try his hand in the Premier League at this seasoned stage of his career.

How Leon Goretzka could revive Spurs

It is worth noting that earlier in January, Tottenham had shown a vested interest in signing Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, who has since been on Inter Milan's radar.

Jones, 25, is elite at ball retention, and he's started to add more creativity to his game under Arne Slot's wing. You can see why Spurs want him, with one Premier League analyst even going as far as to call him "one of the most underrated players in England”.

Liverpool don't want to sell this month, but Tottenham may look to revisit their bid for the England international at the end of the season, when he has just 12 months left of his contract.

However, Tottenham may hit a bigger vein of gold in the form of Goretzka, who doesn't have as much mileage in the tank but would bring a strong passing game and combative side to revive Frank's system. Most importantly, the veteran would add leadership, having starred for years in a Bayern side who have won so many trophies.

A steely and tenacious midfielder, Goretzka has the right kind of skillset for a central role in a Frank-led team, but it's his range of distribution which sets him apart and could see him thrive alongside Gallagher, with Joao Palhinha mopping up from behind.

Not only has he averaged a 92.8% pass completion rate in the German top flight this season, but the strong-muscled talent has completed 72% of his long passes and 100% of his dribbles. In this, he has the progressiveness that drew the Spurs chiefs to Jones' signature.

Tottenham have a lot of up-and-coming talent. In Lucas Bergvall, there is a player who could outstrip both Jones and Goretzka. But not yet.

If the woes of the past 18 months have taught us anything, it's that the Londoners need players who can provide instant relief, establishing consistency and fluidity between the thirds.

Fabrizio Romano has shared a Tottenham transfer update involving a 'complete' Liverpool player as we approach the final two days of the window.

Throughout this month, the Lilywhites have been no strangers to knocking on the door at Anfield.

Spurs attempted to strike a January deal for left-back Andy Robertson after Ben Davies' season-ending ankle injury, pushing forward plans to sign him in the summer to this month.

The Scotland and Anfield legend, who has made 365 appearances for the Reds and won multiple Premier League titles, not to mention a Champions League medal, is poised to leave for nothing at the end of the season.

While Robertson would be a stellar opportunity at zero transfer cost later this year, Spurs sensed an opportunity to bring him in early doors, and even agreed a £5 million deal in principle.

The 31-year-old was reportedly very open to the idea of a London switch as well, but given Liverpool's difficulty sourcing a replacement, neither the player nor the Reds signed off on a move.

It remains to be seen whether this possibility could open up again in the next 48 hours, but Romano now claims that Robertson wasn't the only Liverpool player who was attracting serious attention from Spurs this month.

Fabrizio Romano makes Tottenham transfer claim involving Curtis Jones

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the reliable journalist shared news that midfielder Curtis Jones was also a hot topic in north London before they snapped up ex-Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher.

"I can reveal to you that Tottenham were very aggressive on Curtis Jones," explained Romano.

"At the beginning of the transfer window, but then they signed Conor Gallagher, but Tottenham were interested."

The 25-year-old is now being linked with a high-profile move to Serie A heavyweights Inter Milan, but reports suggest the Nerazzurri will fall short as Liverpool have no plans to sell.

Jones has made 20 league appearances for Liverpool this season but has started just half of them, and with the World Cup fast approaching, he's in a race against time to convince England boss Thomas Tuchel.

The versatile ace, who can also play across the forward line, has been lavished with praise by Arne Slot in recent seasons.

Tottenham are eyeing up a late January move to sign a former Arsenal forward who's 'ready to sign' for around £108,000-per-week, according to a new report.

Spurs have been fairly modest so far this window out of all the Premier League clubs when it comes to transfer activity, securing midfielder Conor Gallagher and left-back Souza whilst offloading Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace.

However, going by recent reports, Thomas Frank's squad rebuilding appears far from finished as deadline day approaches.

The north Londoners confirmed Gallagher's £34 million arrival from Atlético Madrid mid-January, beating Aston Villa to the England international's signature after both clubs submitted proposals to the Spanish side.

Gallagher signed a five-and-a-half-year contract, bringing Premier League experience spanning 136 appearances across spells with West Brom, Crystal Palace and Chelsea before his £38 million Madrid move in summer 2024.

Frank described his new signing as "a top midfielder, who we have worked tirelessly to add to our squad," highlighting Gallagher's leadership qualities, pressing ability and running power as crucial attributes for Tottenham's needs.

The 25-year-old's arrival addressed an urgent need following Rodrigo Bentancur's hamstring injury, though questions persist regarding whether his combative profile resolves Spurs' creativity.

Tottenham simultaneously secured 19-year-old Brazilian left-back Souza from Santos for £13 million, with the defender signing a long-term contract.

Souza enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, starting 19 league matches and frequently linking with Neymar on the flank before the veteran's injury problems.

The acquisition future-proofs Spurs' left-back position following Ben Davies' recent ankle fracture and Destiny Udogie's injury proneness, though that didn't stop Tottenham trying their hand at a deal for Liverpool legend Andy Robertson.

Johnson's £35 million departure to Palace represented significant business, with the Welsh winger having fallen foul of Frank's plans despite finishing 24/25 as their top scorer and bagging the Europa League final winner.

As Monday's deadline approaches, multiple attacking injuries, including star winger Mohammed Kudus recently, highlight the need for another attacking option.

While Tottenham are believed to have been rebuffed in an approach to sign Serge Gnabry recently, they may have better luck snapping up another ex-Arsenal forward.

Tottenham eye late January move for Raheem Sterling

That man is free agent Raheem Sterling, who mutually agreed to terminate his £325,000-per-week Chelsea contract earlier this week.

According to CaughtOffside, Spurs have expressed interest in Sterling following his Stamford Bridge exit, though they face significant competition from London rivals West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Brentford.

Sterling's situation offers unique appeal given he is 'ready to sign' for dramatically reduced wages — from his mammoth figures at Chelsea to below 'one-third' of that amount — roughly £108,000-per-week.

His representatives are also believed to be holding discussions with seven to eight clubs.

The 31-year-old prioritises remaining in London for family reasons whilst seeking regular football ahead of this summer's World Cup, giving Spurs a potential opportunity despite his previous struggles at Cobham, where he managed 19 goals and 15 assists in 81 appearances.

Foreign clubs including Juventus, Napoli, Bayern Munich and Roma monitor Sterling's availability, alongside MLS approaches, though the England international's preference is to compete at elite European level.

The ex-Man City and Liverpool star is part of the division's 100 club for goals scored and a serial winner, not to mention blessed with proven top-level experience.

In terms of an attitude for the dressing room, Sterling could give Frank's side a major lift in that sense, but there is also a serious case to be made that his best days are long gone.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters will be taking solace from their team's excellent Champions League campaign, having stormed into a top-eight finish to close out the group phase, thus avoiding an unwanted extra knockout round.

But that success is tempered by the many problems Thomas Frank's side are facing on the domestic front, having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup while flattering to deceive in the Premier League, 14th after 23 matches.

Though ENIC Group have green-lit moves for Conor Gallagher and left-back Souza already this month, there remains an appetite for a new winger, but the recently-linked Raheem Sterling might not be the solution.

Spurs lining up move for new winger

There's no question that the Spurs fanbase is collectively fed up. Any joy from last year's Herculean effort to win the Europa League has tapered away by the return to miserable performances. The chances of winning silverware this season are negligible, and hopes of playing in Europe next year are dwindling away too.

It's difficult to see how Sterling will make a significant attacking impact. While the England winger is a free agent after his contract with Chelsea was terminated this month, he flattered to deceive on loan at Arsenal.

The 31-year-old pocketed an extortionate £325k-per-week salary at Stamford Bridge, and he'll want something not too far removed from that figure.

As it stands, Sterling looks like the most likely winger to strengthen Frank's side this winter.

However, according to The Independent's Miguel Delaney, Tottenham are prepared to rival Inter Milan for Al Ittihad winger Moussa Diaby, who is open to returning to Europe after leaving Aston Villa for Saudi Arabia in July 2024 for a £50m fee.

Tottenham want to sign the 26-year-old before the February 2nd deadline, but with Inter considered favourites and time running out, technical director Johan Lange is going to need to roll up his sleeves.

Why Spurs should sign Diaby

Diaby only spent two seasons in the Premier League, and while it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows during his spell with Aston Villa, the France international scored ten goals and supplied 11 assists across the 2023/24 campaign, helping the Villans to a remarkable Champions League finish.

While Sterling has more pedigree in the English game, it's worth reiterating that Diaby is still only 26, hailed for his "deadly" instinct in the final third by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Moving to Tottenham could be the perfect career move for him, opening up the possibility of becoming a talisman for a team crying out for artistic inspiration down the attacking wings.

His impressive link-up play and capacity on either side further underlines Tottenham's interest, and given that Mohammed Kudus is out for the next few months with a hamstring problem, this could be the order of the day for Frank as he pushes to resurrect his Spurs tenure.

Diaby, who was once praised as being "fearless" by Chronicle editor Aaron Stokes, hasn't scored with the greatest regularity in the Saudi Pro League, but he has starred in a playmaking role, notching 27 assists across 53 matches, scoring eight goals too.

However, looking at how the Frenchman performed during his final term in the Premier League might act as a more accurate gauge of how he would impact the north London side, especially when collating that information against Raheem Sterling's performances with Arsenal last year.

Sterling was once a menace, so purposeful and slippery as he wove into the danger area for Manchester City. He won it all under Pep Guardiola's management.

But Sterling's time has passed, and signing him would not give Frank's project the hit it needs. Diaby, however, has plenty of mileage in the tank.

Tottenham Hotspur have now been contacted with a fresh opportunity to sign a Real Madrid attacker, according to recent reports.

Frank: "Lewis family is super committed" to project

After using the Champions League to get back to winning ways once again, Thomas Frank will be desperate to replicate Tottenham's European form in the Premier League.

Up next, the Lilywhites square off against Manchester City in the hope that they can prove to be a thorn in Pep Guardiola's side for the umpteenth time.

The challenge, though one that Spurs have surprisingly overcome numerous times over the years, is likely to test the depths of Frank's squad yet again following recent injuries.

He told reporters in the build-up: “I think we lost, I can’t remember, six or seven players inside three weeks in January? That’s crazy.

“There were definitely too many, so yeah of course (the squad) it’s weaker than we started the first of January. I can promise that the Lewis family is super committed to this project.

"They want to do everything and I would go against my rule, hopefully only once, that there’s no doubt it’s clear that the club wants to sign Semenyo. They did everything. I think that’s a clear signal that the Lewis family is very committed."

Of course, it's not just a big week on the pitch, either. Away from the action, Spurs are running out of time to welcome additional reinforcements.

To that end, those in North London have reportedly set their sights on late moves for a number of players - including the likes of Raheem Sterling, who is now a free agent - and Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz.

Tottenham offered chance to sign Brahim Diaz

As reported by TeamTalk, Tottenham have now been offered the chance to sign Diaz from Real Madrid this month and have launched a late enquiry as a result.

The attacking star has failed to move into Alvaro Arbeloa's starting side since returning from AFCON and intermediaries are now exploring a January exit.

Spurs' attack has been the element which has fallen most under Frank, despite welcoming Randal Kolo Muani and chief creator Xavi Simons in the summer.

It's a problem which could force their hand in the transfer market in the hope that Diaz puts AFCON heartbreak behind him and returns to the Premier League.

If Spurs were to sign the Madrid man, they'd be getting one over on both Newcastle United and Aston Villa, who are also reportedly chasing a last-minute deal this month.

The Magpies were reportedly in pole position to sign Diaz earlier this week as they look to boost their own attacking options, but could now see their move hijacked by those in North London. It would be an all too familiar story for Eddie Howe.