Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur are at the start of a new chapter, and Thomas Frank knows he must not only emulate his predecessor Ange Postecoglou in winning silverware at the Lilywhites helm but make significant gains in the Premier League too.

Last season's Europa League champions juxtaposed their triumph with a dismal 17th-place finish in the league, and have thus completed a series of signings across the summer to compete in the Champions League and domestically too.

But while the likes of Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus add much to Tottenham's attacking fluency, Frank remains eager to sign a centre-forward before the window slams shut.

Spurs in late bid for new striker

According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have almost agreed personal terms with Randal Kolo Muani, who is being targeted on a loan deal with an option to buy.

Kolo Muani, 26, had been expected to sign for Juventus this month before issues between Paris Saint-Germain and the Italians ground that one to a halt, thus opening the door for Spurs.

Tottenham previously went in for the France international in January, but Juventus one the race there. It's understood he would cost in excess of £50m to take away from Paris on a permanent basis.

What Kolo Muani would bring to Spurs

Kolo Muani is not just a dangerous presence in the final third but a high-speed and mobile forward, recognised by Les Bleus teammate Kylian Mbappe for his "complete" qualities.

His half-season spent with Juventus led to ten goals and three assists across 22 games, ending what had turned out to be a miserable 18 months with PSG, leaving Eintracht Frankfurt for the Ligue 1 giants in September 2023 for a £76m fee.

But class is permanent, and his reliable nature and link-up ability at number nine suggests he could be Frank's new version of Yoane Wissa, who is set to join Newcastle United from Brentford for £55m.

Having scored 19 goals in the Premier League last season, Wissa, 28, proved his worth and then some, and it must be exciting for Kolo Muani to consider how Frank could now raise the level of his own game.

Wissa might be a more clinical goalscorer at this point in time, but Kolo Muani has more variation to his game, and indeed demonstrated in Turin his potential to score clinically, bagging eight Serie A goals across only 13 matches.

Skilful and tenacious, the Frenchman would be a fantastic addition for the Londoners, who already have solid options in the final third, but perhaps need that extra something.

Wissa has developed into a clinical shooter under Howe's wing, and given Kolo Muani has a higher bar already, there's no telling how high he will soar if welcomed to the spearhead of an exciting Tottenham project.

Tottenham Hotspur are now in talks to sign a "world-class" £43m star, who is ready to fly into London to complete a move.

Spurs looking to sign forward before 7pm deadline

As we enter the final hours of the summer transfer window, Tottenham remain keen on signing a new forward, having failed to bring in a like-for-like replacement for Son Heung-min, with Manchester City's Savinho remaining at the Etihad Stadium.

Taking to X, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani, who can play at both centre-forward and on the wing, has now emerged as an option for Thomas Frank's side.

However, Spurs are also ramping up their interest in a different forward of a similar mould, with a report from The Boot Room revealing they have now entered talks over a deal for wantaway Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.

The Italian club are looking to receive £43m for Lookman, and they could be willing to accept an initial loan deal, which would include an obligation to buy, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey adding: "Lookman has emerged as an option for Tottenham, not dissimilar to their Xavi Simons deal. They were in the right place at the right time.

"I am told Lookman is keen, Tottenham are keen, and this has a chance ahead of Monday’s 7pm deadline."

Promisingly, with the Atalanta forward keen on a move to N17, he is now ready to fly to London to complete the deal.

"World-class" Lookman would be exciting signing for Spurs

Much like Kolo-Muani, the Nigeria international is able to play at both striker and on the wing, making him a versatile option for Frank, and the 27-year-old has maintained a fantastic record in front of goal during his time with Atalanta.

Not only has the London-born forward impressed in the Serie A, but he memorably caught the eye in the 2024 Europa League final, scoring a hat-trick to secure a 3-0 victory for his side over a Bayer Leverkusen side that won the Bundesliga undefeated.

Courtesy of the hat-trick against the at-the-time German champions, the Atalanta star scooped up a prestigious award and received very high praise from the BBC's John Bennett.

Lookman would clearly be a top-quality addition to Tottenham's squad, and a £43m fee seems reasonable, given the level of his performances in the Serie A and Europa League.

While Liverpool's deal for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is going to dominate much of the transfer deadline day chatter, Tottenham Hotspur are knuckling down and preparing to pull off a few statement deals of their own.

Having won the race for attacking midfielder Xavi Simons earlier this week, Thomas Frank's Tottenham are shaping up nicely, though a home defeat against Bournemouth after back-to-back wins to kick off the Premier League campaign have issued a reminder that there is much work to be done over the months and years ahead.

A lack of bite in that north London clash proved the crux of the club's issues, and maybe it wouldn't hurt for Daniel Levy to oversee an Isak-esque deal down N17 today.

Well, Spurs might just have such a move in the pipeline.

Spurs in talks to sign new striker

Let's be frank, Tottenham's new manager has his work cut out, though the early readings are promising to say the least.

But Dominic Solanke and Richarlison are the leading options at the front of the ship, and another star could work wonders in completing a frontline bearing such potential.

Well, according to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain as they consider a bid for Randal Kolo Muani, who had looked set to join Juventus after a successful loan stint last year, but for the package to unravel at the negotiating table.

Anticipated to cost in excess of £50m, Kolo Muani has also attracted interest from Manchester United this month, but Spurs need a striker and offer the allure of Champions League football.

Keep a close eye on this one.

What Kolo Muani would bring to Spurs

Kolo Muani left Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany two years ago, signing for PSG in a £76m deal. So ended his prolific time in the Bundesliga, and kicked off a frustrating spell back in his homeland, having bagged only 11 goals across 54 matches.

Still, described as a "superstar" by German legend Lothar Matthaus, Kolo Muani has a deadly sense for goals and the athletic and mobile presence in and around the box to make a real difference to Tottenham's attacking line, perhaps even proving the Londoners' own version of Isak.

At Juventus, Kolo Muani proved that class is permanent, scoring ten goals and providing three assists across only 22 matches for the Turin-based outfit.

He also averaged 1.1 key passes per game, according to Sofascore, underscoring his dynamism and will to link up with teammates and deepen the lines of communication on the pitch.

This is something that Isak does (or, rather, did) with such aplomb across his years at St. James' Park, keeping it crisp when on the ball but knowing exactly when to pick out a teammate or shuffle forward himself and strike on goal.

Kolo Muani might not have any Premier League experience under his belt, but he's a seasoned forward both domestically and on the international stage, and has proven his worth when entrusted with a starring role.

Whether Tottenham manage to get this one over the line remains to be seen, but there's no question that it would be a fantastic move for a side in transition, already showing that they have what it takes to hit some lofty heights with Frank at the helm.

This Saturday, Spurs will have initially hoped to have paraded a certain England international by the name of Eberechi Eze around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Alas, the boyhood Gooner decided that Arsenal was for him and after the setback of Morgan Gibbs-White a few months earlier, Thomas Frank and Co were back to the drawing board once again.

They ultimately decided on Xavi Simons. The Netherlands international moves to north London from RB Leipzig in a deal worth £51m.

It was a risky play from Daniel Levy, largely because for a long time it looked as though Chelsea would bring him to Stamford Bridge. For once, however, Spurs got their man.

The task now is to bolster the forward line further.

What to expect from Spurs on transfer deadline day

With the arrival of Simons, it remains to be seen whether Spurs look at strengthening Frank's options further.

They will certainly try to do so and have a number of attackers lined up already. Lucas Paqueta of West Ham has been mooted as a target but now appears to be on his way to Aston Villa instead.

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman is another player Levy and the recruitment team could explore. The Nigerian has been pushing for an exit all summer long and it wouldn't be a surprise if he finally got his move on deadline day.

There's also the curious case of Morgan Rogers. Last week it was reported that Spurs had held exploratory talks over bringing the England international to north London. Yet, with a price tag of £80m, it's an incredibly unlikely deal, particularly this late in the window.

Still, according to TEAMtalk, the 'dream option for Spurs' if they fail to secure summer target, Savinho, is indeed Rogers.

Villa have given the Lilywhites no indication that they are willing to sell but Spurs have been exploring the deal since Thursday.

How Morgan Rogers compares to Xavi Simons

After James Maddison suffered a horrendous ACL injury in pre-season, Frank knew he needed to add a new number 10, someone capable of scoring and creating in equal measure.

Maddison may not have been at his best last term but he did still find the net on 12 occasions, registering a further 11 assists in all competitions. Spurs needed someone capable of replacing that output and Simons certainly ticks a lot of boxes.

The 22-year-old scored 11 goals and supplied eight assists in 2024/25, nearly matching the output of Maddison.

Well, in Rogers, they'd secure a player capable of being elevated by Simons. In short, they'd be truly game-changing together.

Since leaving Middlesbrough behind for Aston Villa in January of 2024, the former Manchester City youth gem has been a revelation in the Midlands.

Last season, Rogers scored a Champions League hat-trick, earned his England debut and racked up a whole host of goal involvements.

It was a stunning 2024/25 campaign for the 23-year-old who bagged 14 goals and supplied 16 assists in all competitions. So, based on raw output, he's an upgrade on the talented Simons but just imagine the thought of those two playing together. Frank's attack becomes infinitely better overnight.

Analysing the numbers further, we get a sense for the main similarities and differences between the two players.

Simons certainly looks a bit more creative, registering more progressive passes and managing more key passes throughout the 2024/25 campaign. Thus, he'd be a fabulous supply line for Rogers who could play on the left wing next to the Dutchman.

They'd bounce off each other tremendously well, considering when it comes to dribbling and beating a player, Rogers is your man. He's elite at taking players on and that's rubberstamped by the fact that he completes over 40% of the dribbles he attempts.

Combine that with the ability to score goals and you certainly have one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe right here. It's hardly a surprise that Villa presenter Kate Tracey has described him as a "superstar".

That's exactly what he is and if Villa could land a sensational coup in the remaining hours of the window, it would send out a huge message to their Premier League rivals. Just imagine Rogers and Simons in the same side. It's a scary thought.

Thomas Frank must be wondering what the fuss is all about. Managing Tottenham Hotspur isn't that tricky, is it? Think again.

Spurs kicked off their Premier League campaign with back-to-back wins over Burnley and Manchester City. They even led PSG 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup. However, a mini crisis is always around the corner at Spurs.

While crisis may be pushing it a bit, their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday did raise some alarm bells. The Cherries managed 20 shots. Spurs managed just five and failed to create a single big chance.

Well, the arrival of Xavi Simons should certainly help in that regard, but is there more to come for the Lilywhites? Quite possibly.

Spurs transfer deadline day plans

If there's one area that Spurs could recruit in during the dying hours of the transfer window, it's in attack where you sense some quality is still left to be found.

A number of players, including Ademola Lookman and Savinho have been touted, with both players hoping to move before the window slams shut.

Savinho, in particular, is pushing for a move to north London and has been left frustrated by Manchester City's stance this summer.

Well, it would appear an alternative has been lined up. According to The Independent this Sunday, one player Spurs are said to be 'looking' at is AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.

The report states that Spurs would 'prefer' to sign a winger before 7pm on Monday, although a move for Leao is seen as a difficult one to do at this moment in time.

Why Leao is as exciting as Simons

After James Maddison suffered an ACL injury it was imperative that Spurs went out and signed another no.10.

They failed with their pursuit of Eberechi Eze but it matters no more as far as Frank and Co are concerned. Simons is now a Spurs player.

He was unveiled in front of Tottenham supporters prior to the defeat to Bournemouth and he must have been wishing he was on the field to help his new teammates.

Help is exactly what he'll provide, specifically from a creative point of view. He's also a goalscorer and could transform this Spurs attack.

In 2024/25, the former Leipzig man scored 11 goals and supplied eight assists. The campaign prior, the young Dutchman was even better, netting ten times and registering 15 assists.

Yet, Leao, who has been causing chaos for Champions League defences in recent years, would be an even more exciting addition.

The primary reason is that, in the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, he is "one of the best left wingers in the world".

Why is that the case? Well, back in 2022, Milan coach Stefano Pioli said: "Leao reminds me a lot of the early Thierry Henry, who started wide then came inside."

It's safe to say he's one of the most captivating forwards in the world, something backed up by the numbers. In 2024/25, the Portuguese winger scored 12 times and also provided 13 assists in all competitions. One year prior, the electric speedster scored 15 and managed 14 assists.

He's a duel threat packed with speed, chaos and energy. He's like a younger Heung-min Son in that sense.

Over the last year, the 26-year-old ranks inside the top 4% of wingers in Europe's top five leagues for successful take-ons. He's so lively and that ability to beat a player and get in behind a backline will be game-changing alongside Simons.

The Netherlands international is a superb pick-up for Spurs but Leao is a true game-changer. He's been renowned as one of the best wingers in European football for a number of years now and would be the maverick forward Frank needs to really push on domestically and on the continent this season.

Tottenham Hotspur are now leading the race for an "excellent" player, who is also being targeted by AC Milan and one of their Premier League rivals.

Spurs keen on new defender after Bournemouth defeat

Tottenham suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season on Saturday afternoon, coming up short in a 1-0 loss at home to AFC Bournemouth, and Thomas Frank wasn't impressed with his side's defensive performance.

The Spurs boss criticised his side's ability to deal with balls in-behind, saying: "Not a shock if I'm honest but not what I expected. I hoped for more. We played against a good Bournemouth team. I don't think we handled the balls behind and the second ball game very well for whatever reason.

"They play behind as soon as they can and have willing runners. A few passes and they play the ball behind. That's difficult to play against.

"In football, it goes so quick. We can still find good bits but overall, it's not a good performance."

Defensive issues plagued the north Londoners throughout the 2024-25 campaign, given that Ange Postecoglou was known to be uncompromising on his attacking principles, but Frank is well-known to be more pragmatic.

As such, the Dane's side have kept two clean sheets in their opening three Premier League games, but the manager still remains keen on bringing in another centre-back, who could provide competition for Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

That is according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), which states Tottenham have now moved into pole position in the race for Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, who is also being targeted by AC Milan and Crystal Palace.

Crucially, Spurs have Champions League football on offer this season, which gives them a key advantage over rival suitors in the race for Akanji's signature, and City are only looking to receive a fee of €15m (£13m) plus bonuses.

"Excellent" Akanji could be solid signing for Spurs

Lauded as "excellent" by The Telegraph's James Ducker, the 30-year-old has proven himself in the Premier League over a number of years, making a combined 59 appearances for City as they secured back-to-back titles in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.

The Switzerland international's experience could make him a solid signing for Frank, and his versatility would also be of great use, with Pep Guardiola praising his player for being able to play in a multitude of positions.

Guardiola said: "He is a lovely guy, can play in different positions. Normally a central defender but (he can play) right back, holding midfield. He is open minded, well educated, so intelligent."

Although Akanji is now 30-years-old, he would be a low-cost addition to the Tottenham squad at just £13m, and the defender's versatility would make him a useful option for Frank, in what is set to be a congested campaign.

The signing of Xavi Simons marks nearly a month-long pursuit for Tottenham Hotspur to find their James Maddison replacement.

In a World Cup year, this was set to be an important campaign for the Englishman, who was notably excluded from England's squad at the European Championships.

More heartbreak has befallen Maddison, set to miss most of the 2025/26 campaign with an ACL injury.

Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White were the main targets but the former joined Arsenal instead and the latter was handed a shiny new contract by Mr Marinakis at Nottingham Forest.

So, Simons ended up being the man, penning terms after Spurs agreed to pay RB Leipzig £51m to attain his signature.

Yet, the Lilywhites may not be done there.

Spurs could conclude one last deal

If Spurs are to conclude any last-minute deals then it's likely to be in attack. Dominic Solanke has picked up another injury problem while Richarlison has had his own setbacks throughout his time in the capital.

As such, going into the campaign without another forward player signed could be a recipe for disaster as far as Thomas Frank and Co are concerned.

A number of players have been linked in recent days, notably Lucas Paqueta and Ademola Lookman, but the more likely name to join is Manchester City winger, Savinho.

A number of weeks ago reports emerged that stated Spurs were in talks to sign the Brazilian winger and indeed, the Lilywhites are still trying to conclude a deal worth around £69m.

City are reluctant to sell but the 21-year-old is trying to force through a move in the remaining hours of the transfer window, having been left frustrated by his club's stance.

Now, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, both player and club are trying to make a deal happen.

Bailey states that Spurs "love" Savinho, suggesting that a deal "is not dead in the water yet". That's presumably due to the player's stance.

Indeed, the report further notes that the Brazilian is 'keen to make the switch', with his desire to leave a factor that could 'yet make the deal possible'.

Why Xavi Simons would love playing alongside Savinho

The addition of Simons in the last few days is undoubtedly a landmark addition for the Lilywhites.

He will bring goals, having scored 11 times last season, and he will bring assists, registering eight in all competitions throughout 2024/25.

The Dutchman is certainly one of the best playmakers in European football and at the age of just 22, he's only going to get better.

Combine his playmaking ability with the creativity of Savinho and you have a duel threat that could transform the fortunes of Frank's attack.

While Spurs didn't struggle to fashion chances against Burnley and Manchester City, scoring five goals, they really did against Bournemouth on Saturday. Spurs managed just five total shots to Andoni Iraola's side's 20, and they failed to carve out a single big chance.

Therefore, Simons and Savinho could work in tandem to boost the forward line. After all, they are two of the most creative players in Europe.

Last season, while the Brazilian struggled in front of goal with just three strikes, he was particularly creative.

A "superstar in the making", in the words of Paul Merson, the 21-year-old contributed with 13 assists in all competitions. As such, he ranked among the top 13% of positionally similar players in Europe's top five leagues for assists per 90 minutes.

He also sits inside the best 3% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons, rubberstamping his credentials as one of the most exciting wide players on the continent.

Those numbers draw similarities to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Florian Wirtz, with FBref declaring the two Premier League stars as some of the most similar players in Europe to Savinho.

That creative and progressive nature would make him a phenomenal player for Simons, a player who possesses very similar traits.

Indeed, over the last year, the former Leipzig man ranks among the best 13% of players in his position for progressive passes. With Savinho, a willing runner, and Simons, a willing creator, this feels like a match made in heaven for Spurs.

What this would open up are multiple areas of attack. Simons would have the remarkable pace of Brennan Johnson to feed and then he'd also have the more skilful nature of Kudus and Savinho to tee up.

It really does feel like Frank would be covering all bases behind the main centre forward if this occurred.

It's safe to say the last few weeks have been incredibly Spursy. From the lows of missing out on Eberechi Eze to the highs of defeating Manchester City and then announcing Xavi Simons on Saturday, Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been through the wringer.

That was capped off this weekend. In front of their new arrival, Thomas Frank's side came unstuck for the first time this season, defeated by Bournemouth.

While Frank's tenure at Spurs has so far been pretty smooth on the pitch, behind the scenes, the transfer business has been tricky.

They missed out on Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White, two of the Premier League's finest English talents, while a deal for Savinho has been in the works for a while now, but they are likely to miss out on him as well.

Spurs' Savinho alternative on deadline day

A number of weeks ago, it was revealed that Spurs had opened talks with Manchester City in an attempt to bring Savinho to north London.

A deal looked possible but the further we've got into the window, the less likely the chances of concluding a deal have become.

The Brazilian has missed the opening few weeks of the campaign with an injury but recent reports suggest that City aren't too keen on losing the winger. Still, the Londoners are pressing on with their attempts to sign the player.

As a result, Spurs have to look elsewhere, and according to TEAMtalk, one alternative could be Atalanta's Ademola Lookman.

The former Everton and Fulham man is enjoying a fine time of it in Italy but he wants out and has already moved back to London in a bid to force his way out of Bergamo for good.

One destination could well be Tottenham Hotspur. The report suggests that the Serie A side have been in talks with clubs across Europe to find him a new home and should the Lilywhites fail in their pursuit of Savinho, Lookman is likely to emerge as a prime target.

A deal could be done in the region of £35m-£40m in the dying embers of the transfer window.

How Lookman compares to Savinho

It's been a transfer window fraught with hurdles for Spurs but if they can conclude a deal for another new forward before the window slams shut at 7pm on Monday, they'd be in a fabulous place to challenge for a top four berth come next May.

With Frank in need of finding more creativity, Savinho would certainly tick a lot of boxes.

Last season, the Brazil winger supplied 13 assists in all competitions and ranked among the top 13% of wingers in Europe's top five leagues for assists, via FBRef.

However, despite his ability to create goal-scoring opportunities, his lack of goal threat must be outlined.

In 2024/25, Savinho found the net on just three occasions, only one of which came in the Premier League. This is a problem, particularly when comparing him with Lookman.

The Nigeria international has come a long way since that dire penalty miss in a Fulham shirt and is now "one of the best forwards in Europe", as described by journalist Oma Akatugba.

Why? Well, he's become a true superstar of Serie A, netting on 20 occasions in 40 games last season. During the 2023/24 term, he scored 17, seven of which came on the left wing and a further seven came as a centre-forward, highlighting his versatility.

So, unlike Savinho, he's capable of playing in a plethora of positions and he's a genuine goalscorer. He's also capable of creating for his teammates, registering ten assists in 2023/24 and seven in 2024/25.

Analysing the data, it's evident that Savinho is the better dribbler and carrier of possession.

Yet, despite the City forward trumping Lookman for overall assists in 2024/25, the latter proved that he can be equally, if not more creative, registering a higher volume of key passes and thus, also registering a better rate of expected assists.

So, depending on where you were to field the Atalanta attacker, he could provide everything Savinho does, just with an incredibly greater goal threat.

At just £40m, this feels like a snip for Spurs if they enter the race at the last minute.

After a dismal 17th-place finish in the Premier League last season, it was vital that the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy invested money into the first-team ahead of 2025/26.

Thomas Frank was the man to fill the void left by Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal, with the Dane being handed the funds as a result to try and transform the Lilywhites’ top-division fortunes.

He’s so far landed duo Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons for a combined £107m, subsequently bolstering the options at his disposal within the attacking department.

Joao Palhinha has also arrived on loan, whilst Mathys Tel also made his loan move permanent - after spending the second half of the previous campaign in North London.

However, with just a couple of days remaining in the transfer window, the new boss will still want further additions to help him in his quest for success during his tenure at the club.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions before deadline day

Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has been a surprise target for Spurs over the last couple of days, with the player himself wanting a temporary move away from Old Trafford.

The Lilywhites hierarchy have held talks with Ruben Amorim’s side over a potential move before Monday’s deadline, but it’s unclear if a move could materialise given the Red Devils’ reluctance to offload the youngster.

However, he’s not the only Englishman currently in their sights, with Atlético Madrid star Conor Gallagher once again appearing on their radar, according to CaughtOffside.

They claim that Frank’s side are preparing a £35m-£40m bid for the 25-year-old, with the Spanish outfit prepared to let him leave if an acceptable offer is presented. Man United are also in the race, although Spurs are said to be the frontrunners.

It also states that Diego Simeone’s side would want as much as £45m this summer, potentially being the third big-money addition for Spurs during the current window.

Why Spurs’ £52m target would be perfect for Simons

The recent transfer of Simons to Spurs has injected added excitement into the fanbase, and understandably so when delving into his numbers from last season.

The Dutchman registered 10 goals and seven assists for Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, and ended the year as one of the most threatening attacking options in the division.

Chelsea seemed destined to land the former PSG youngster at one stage, but Frank’s men swooped in at the 11th hour, with the move finally ending their hunt for a new attacking midfielder.

If he can replicate such numbers in 2025/26 for the Lilywhites, he would be a phenomenal pickup, having the tools to star immediately - but also improve further, given he’s just 22 years of age.

However, should Simons want to be a success in North London, he will need to be aided in any attempts, which could prompt the hierarchy to land Gallagher in the coming days.

The Englishman, who is a former Chelsea first-team member, would be the perfect box-to-box option, that’s if he can replicate the numbers he produced in LaLiga throughout 2024/25.

Gallagher, who’s been labelled “sensational” by journalist John Cross, could offer a presence at the heart of the side which could free Simons up to cause carnage in attacking areas and show why the club forked out £52m for his signature.

The Atlético star ranked in the 89th percentile for tackles won (1.8) and in the 90th percentile for recoveries made (5.9) - showcasing his ability to regain possession for the side.

However, he would need to help transition the play after winning the ball - something which he demonstrated in abundance in Spain throughout 2024/25.

He made an average of 3.5 progressive passes per 90 at a pass completion rate of 85% - allowing him to do the ‘dirty work’ before finding the Dutchman with his line-breaking ability.

Whilst a deal for Gallagher would be an expensive addition, he would be one who could help transform Frank’s side for the better between now and the end of the Dane’s reign.

If he can strike up a partnership with Simons in 2025/26, it would be a worthwhile investment and one that can complete the summer overhaul of the midfield department.

All summer long, Tottenham Hotspur fans have been crying out for a new number ten to help Thomas Frank in his quest for success during his spell in the role.

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are the two players who shared the role in 2024/25, but the Dane will be without the duo until at least the start of 2026 through various injuries.

The hierarchy have attempted to fill such a void in the last few weeks, turning to Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze - but they ultimately missed out on both of the aforementioned talents.

However, their hunt has come to an end in recent days, landing the signature of Xavi Simons, with the Dutchman joining the Lilywhites in a £52m transfer from German side RB Leipzig.

With just a couple of days left in the window, the new boss still looks as though he wants added reinforcements this summer, subsequently targeting multiple other talents before Monday’s deadline.

Spurs’ hunt for new signings after Simons

Savinho is a player who’s been on Spurs’ radar all throughout the current window, but their attempts to land the Manchester City star have so far been to no avail.

Despite their inability to land the Brazilian international, talks have once again been held for his services in recent days - leading to reports suggesting the player wants to move to North London.

However, he’s not the only Manchester-based player in their sights, with Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo also on their radar, according to TEAMtalk.

Their report claims that Frank’s side have made an approach to the Red Devils to discuss a potential deal for the 20-year-old midfielder, who rose through the academy at Old Trafford.

It also states the player himself would be keen on a temporary move to join the Lilywhites before the deadline, after he stated his desire to gain more game time away from Ruben Amorim’s side.

Why Mainoo is a bigger talent than Simons

The deal to land Simons this week has generated huge excitement amongst the Spurs fanbase - understandably so given his tally of 18 combined goals and assists in the Bundesliga last season.

£52m is an excellent price for the 22-year-old, having huge potential to develop into a world-class talent under Frank’s guidance - especially if he continues on his current trajectory.

Given the injury situation in such a position, it was vital that the manager and the board secure the signature of a new number ten - with Simons having the chance to demonstrate his quality in the Premier League this season.

However, the hierarchy can’t rest on their laurels, subsequently needing further additions to help Frank in his quest for success during his spell in North London.

A deal for Mainoo would provide added quality and talent in the midfield department - arguably being a bigger talent than the Dutchman when delving into his stats from 2024/25.

The 20-year-old, who’s been described by United writer Alex Turk as a future "£100m-plus footballer", ranked in the 84th percentile of all players in the Premier League for tackle success rate (60%) whilst winning 1.6 tackles per 90.

Such numbers could provide a needed presence at the heart of the side for Frank - but his numbers in possession would also offer the boss a new dimension in tight areas.

The Englishman ranked in the 84th percentile for take-ons completed per 90 (1.3) also notching 0.6 carries into the opposition box per 90 - which places him in the top 19% of stars in England’s top-flight.

The youngster would be able to operate in a perfect box-to-box position for the Lilywhites - which could see him dictate the play and often provide Simons with chances in forward areas.

Despite his tender age, Mainoo has already racked up 50 appearances in the Premier League, having the potential to develop into a generational talent if given the game time under Frank.

Such a move would be an excellent coup for Spurs, adding further depth and quality to their midfield department - following in the footsteps of Simons and Joao Palhinha this summer.

If the pair can operate together in North London, there’s no reason why Frank can’t help the side battle for a spot in the Champions League once again come the end of the 2025/26 season.