The Boy Hotspur

The January transfer window for Tottenham Hotspur is nearing its close (deadline around early February), and the club is in a tough spot: sitting around 13th-14th in the Premier League, dealing with a lengthy injury list, poor home form, and attacking struggles. Manager Thomas Frank has already made some moves, but more are needed.

Confirmed Activity So Far

Incomings: Conor Gallagher (£35m from Atlético Madrid) for midfield energy and leadership; Souza (£13-15m from Santos) as a young left-back to provide competition/cover for the injury-prone Destiny Udogie, and with Ben Davies sidelined.

Outgoings: Brennan Johnson sold to Crystal Palace (£35m), which funded some incomings but depleted attacking options. Various loans out for youngsters/prospects.

Key Needs and Priorities

Spurs have been ravaged by injuries (e.g., Mohammed Kudus out until April with a quad issue, plus issues to Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and others in attack/midfield). The squad lacks depth, creativity, and a clinical edge, leading to struggles scoring and winning (only a few wins in recent months).

Main areas Spurs need to address before the window shuts:

Attacking reinforcements (highest priority) — Especially wide/forwards after Johnson’s sale and Kudus’ long-term injury. The team desperately needs goals and flair from the wings or as a No. 9.

Linked targets include Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace, around £40m as a “proper number nine”), Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco, ~£43m for right-wing/versatile attacking threat), and late interest in others like Jorgen Strand Larsen or Omar Marmoush.

There’s talk of pursuing a late move for a striker if Randal Kolo Muani (on loan at Spurs) potentially leaves for Juventus.

Midfield depth/upgrade: Gallagher adds athleticism and work rate, but there’s criticism that Spurs keep signing “combative” types without enough creativity/passing quality. No more midfielders seem imminent this window, though summer targets like Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) are eyed long-term.

Defensive cover (left-back and centre-back): Souza helps at left-back, but with Udogie’s injuries and Davies’ ankle issue, more competition is useful. Centre-back depth is thin if Radu Dragusin leaves (interest from Roma), and a left-footed CB (e.g., Castello Lukeba or El Chadaille Bitshiabu) has been discussed, though likely more summer-focused.

Overall, the emphasis is on attacking talent to provide an immediate lift amid a tough fixture run and pressure on Frank. The club has funds (from Johnson’s sale and reportedly up to £150-200m budget availability), but January is tricky, deals often come late or not at all. If no more signings happen, summer will be massive for addressing creativity, finishing, and leadership.

This match secured Spurs’ place in the last 16 of the Champions League as one of the top-seeded teams. MOTM Christian Romero, as captain and central defender, was pivotal both defensively and in attack.

Cuti provided the assist for the opening goal just after half-time: Xavi Simons delivered a cross from a set-piece, and Romero headed it back across goal for Randal Kolo Muani to finish from close range. He was a constant threat from set-pieces and crosses, nearly adding more contributions.

Defensively, he was solid and composed, helping keep a clean sheet in a dominant team display. Stats from various sources highlight his impact:93-96% pass accuracy (e.g., 82/85 passes completed)

No fouls committed, no one dribbled past him

Romero was named Man of the Match by UEFA, with many sources and fans calling it one of his best recent displays. In post-match comments, Romero said it was a “fantastic away win” needed during a tough period for the team, emphasising unity.

This continues his strong recent form, with direct goal involvements (goals or assists) in his last four matches across competitions. Overall, a commanding, all-around performance from the Argentine defender against Eintracht Frankfurt, a defensive rock with an attacking threat.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna, and they could face competition from Real Madrid.

The Spanish club have an option to buy the player back, and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to exercise the clause in the near future.

Tottenham must sign Victor Munoz

The 22-year-old has performed well since leaving Real Madrid and has established himself as a quality player for Osasuna. He is valued at €40 million (£35m), and it remains to be seen where he ends up. According to Fichajes, Tottenham are prepared to pay his release clause to get the deal done.

They believe signing a quality striker will be a priority, and Munoz would be a solid long-term acquisition. He is a young player with great promise and could develop into a reliable striker with the right guidance. Spurs move will be tempting for him, and the North London club could provide him with the platform to showcase his abilities at a higher level.

Real Madrid clearly has an advantage in the transfer race because of the clause in his contract. However, they might not be able to accommodate him in the starting lineup. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. Munoz needs to join a club where he will play regularly. Sitting on the bench at his boyhood club would be detrimental to his growth.

Munoz could be a star for Spurs

Tottenham will be able to provide him with regular opportunities. Ample exposure in the Premier League could help him improve further and fulfil his potential.

The young attacker will add pace, flair, and goals to the Tottenham attack. He has been hailed as a ‘hurricane’ because of his explosive performances.

🇪🇺 Top 7 League Players: Accelerations per 90

◉ 1.43 — Francisco Conceicão (Juventus, 23)

◎ 1.39 — Victor Muñoz (Osasuna, 22)

◎ 1.36 — A. Oufkir (AZ, 20)

◎ 1.29 — M. Politano (Napoli, 32)

◎ 1.26 — Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal, 24)

📊 Free trial: https://t.co/McR5zrPkTO pic.twitter.com/x3Yb8ZRgBd

— DataMB (@DataMB_) January 26, 2026

The attacker recently recorded 12 successful dribbles against Rayo Vallecano, the most in a La Liga match by a player. There is no doubt that he is a promising young talent, and he could transform Tottenham’s attack.

It is no secret that Tottenham Hotspur need to sign a quality striker, and they have identified Fisnik Asllani as a target.

The 23-year-old has performed well for German club Hoffenheim, with 12 goal contributions this season. According to a report from Fichajes, Tottenham are preparing a formal offer for the player, and it remains to be seen whether they can complete the deal.

Spurs could use Fisnik Asllani

Dominic Solanke has a fair share of injury problems, and he has not been prolific either. They need another reliable striker who can find the back of the net fairly regularly. The Kosovan could prove to be the ideal addition.

The striker is reportedly valued at €30 million, and Tottenham have the financial muscle to afford him. He could prove to be an excellent long-term acquisition for them. At 23, he has plenty of room to develop and could grow into a quality player with the right guidance.

Tottenham needs to improve their attacking unit if they want to compete for major trophies. Signing a reliable finisher should be an absolute priority for them. Asllani is highly rated in Germany, and he has a bright future. He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football, and it remains to be seen whether the two clubs can finalise an agreement.

Other clubs keen on Asllani

Chelsea and Aston Villa have also been mentioned as potential destinations. Spurs must act quickly in order to win the race for his signature. The Blues have not been able to score consistently despite spending on two strikers in the summer, and they are now looking to add more depth in that area of the pitch.

Asllani has been described as a “highly talented striker”, and Tottenham should do everything in their power to secure his signature. The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for the striker as well. It would be a step up in his career, and he would get to test himself at a higher level.

Tottenham are not currently selling Yves Bissouma, but they have been actively trying to offload him in the January 2026 transfer window, and talks are ongoing.

Bissouma’s contract expires in June 2026, and Spurs have an option to extend it by a year if no buyer emerges. The club has been keen to sell him since last summer (and even earlier), largely due to disciplinary issues (including multiple nitrous oxide incidents), limited game time under manager Thomas Frank, injuries, and his low priority in the squad.

Recent developments (as of late January 2026):

Tottenham has given clearance for his sale, even with midfield injuries, as Conor Gallagher has effectively replaced him in certain roles.

Galatasaray have shown strong interest: Their vice president/chairman reportedly flew to London for talks, with proposals around €5m (or a similar low fee) given the short contract remaining. Some

Turkish sources claim the deal is close or advanced.

Other clubs like Nice, Marseille, and possibly others in Europe have been linked, but nothing is confirmed as done.

Manager Thomas Frank recently ruled out further departures in the final days of the window and indicated Bissouma would stay, though this may depend on offers.

Recent performances (post-AFCON and injury return) have shifted some views—he’s played more lately and received praise, reducing urgency to sell immediately, but the club still wants him off the books to avoid losing him for free.

In short, Spurs want to sell him before the window closes (or at least secure a deal), but as of now (January 28, 2026), no transfer has been completed, and he’s still at the club.

When Thomas Frank left for Tottenham Hotspur in June 2025, Brentford supporters expressed deep sadness but gratitude, calling him a “hero,” a “freaking legend,” and someone who brought immense joy. Articles from Brentford fans describe his departure as feeling like a “break-up,” with wishes for his success elsewhere while noting he’ll always be a hero at the club.

How his public image has changed.

Initially, many Spurs fans were optimistic or supportive, seeing him as a stabiliser who could adapt tactics, develop young players, and bring pragmatic success after a turbulent period under previous management.

However, by January 2026, significant discontent has emerged. Spurs fans have booed him after poor results/draws (e.g., against Brentford, Burnley, and others), chanting “Thomas Frank out” or criticising his football as “guano.” Complaints focus on a lack of entertainment, poor attacking output, conservative tactics not suiting a “bigger” club expecting possession/ flair, failure to improve players, and results against lower teams.

Regrettably, the advent of the Internet has led everyone to suddenly feel that they have an audience. Then there’s eye watering ticket prices, so an afternoon at the football has led to much higher expectations. One evident mindset is, if I can’t watch us win, I may as well let loose and protest on the terraces, online or call up a radio station.

The great thing about facts is that they take away emotion and let us focus on reality. My view is that this squad (which finished 17th last term) isn’t good enough.

Statmuse highlights a huge issue, and it isn’t Thomas Frank.

Tottenham has created the third most chances in the division, but has not managed to convert anywhere near enough of them.

Injuries

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have missed significant (or all) league minutes due to long-term injuries like ACL issues. These absences have robbed the team of progressive passing and incision in midfield/attack. Without them, younger or alternative options (e.g., Bergvall, Gray, or Sarr) provide ball-carrying but lack the same vision and passing quality to unlock defences consistently.

Being overly dependent on alternatives

Heavy reliance on players like Mohammed Kudus for creation adds pressure, while the team lacks leaders and grit in key moments. Poor home record compounds the issue, with draws or losses from dropped points in winnable games. Confidence dips appear evident, leading to wasted chances and no “killer instinct.”

Poor striking options

Big-money moves (e.g., prioritising Solanke) haven’t paid off yet, and existing options (Richarlison, Timo Werner in past roles) aren’t covering the gap. The attack relies heavily on moments rather than consistent output, and there’s no standout No. 9 guaranteeing goals right now.

In short, ENIC scaled back and failed to add enough quality.

Pedro Porro’s commitment to the cause has never been in doubt, but the enthusiasm he radiates for the club seems to be waning. The earlier hype when he signed has cooled into scapegoating during tough spells.

Some fans love his passion and output, while others see him as inconsistent or not suited to being a traditional right-back. Recent injury news has sparked comments about how much the team might miss his energy, even from erstwhile critics.

Many fans point to him as a liability defensively. Comments like “he’s really not a good footballer. Defensively, he’s clueless” or “Porro is a liability” are frequent, especially after poor team results or individual errors that lead to goals.

Some call him overrated, one of the first to sell, or blame him for lapses in concentration and being responsible (directly or indirectly) for concessions

For me, he needs to marry his enthusiasm with the value of his contributions. And certainly, there’s a recognition that he’s been overplayed—playing nearly every minute for long stretches without rotation—which has led to a decline in form.

Many say he was “brilliant” early on, but has struggled more recently due to no rest, with some hoping competition (like from Djed Spence) could reignite him. This again reflects Thomas Frank’s lack of choice.

There have been flashpoints, like after a defeat to Fulham, where Porro clashed with a teammate post-match and criticised some supporters for booing a player, leading to backlash where fans called his behaviour “disgusting” or expressed being “tired” of him. He hit back, defending teammates and questioning disrespectful fans.

Porro polarises Tottenham supporters: valued for his attacking flair and effort, but heavily scrutinised (and often scapegoated) for defensive shortcomings amid the team’s inconsistencies. Sentiment leans more negative in down periods, but with plenty of defenders who argue that context, like tactics, workload, and system, play a big role.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Sam Johnstone on loan from Wolves this month, as per the BBC.

The 32-year-old has lost his starting spot to Jose Sa and needs to leave Wolves to play more often. He will not want to sit on the bench at this stage of his career. It will be interesting to see if he can secure a move to the North London club until the end of the season.

Wolves director Matt Hobbs has hailed Johnstone as a hugely experienced keeper in the past.

He said: “It’s great for us to have a player with a huge amount of Premier League experience and an international goalkeeper.”

Sam Johnstone to battle Vicario for the starting spot?

He will be expected to compete with Guglielmo Vicario for the starting spot at the English club. The Italian has been quite inconsistent since joining the club, and Spurs need more competition for places. The 32-year-old English goalkeeper could prove to be the ideal acquisition for them in the short term.

He is at the peak of his career, and he will look to hit the ground running at the London club. The opportunity to play for a big club like Tottenham will be exciting for him. He will want to compete in the UEFA Champions League with them. If he manages to impress during his loan spell, he might be able to secure a permanent move.

Johnstone needs a move

Wolves are one of the favourites to go down at the end of the season, and the 32-year-old will not want to compete in the Championship with them. He will look to stay in the top flight, and he will look to prove his quality during the second half of the season, so that he can secure a respectable move in the summer.

Meanwhile, Antonin Kinsky has been linked with a move to West Ham United, and Johnstone could be his replacement at Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to strengthen their defensive unit in the January transfer window and have identified Nathan Collins as a target.

Thomas Frank is pushing to get a deal over the line for a quality central defender before the January window closes.

Frank knows Collins well from their time together at Brentford, and it will be interesting to see if they can get the deal done. The Danish manager signed Collins for Brentford in 2023 and described him as “perfect” at the time.

Thomas Frank on Nathan Collins

Frank said: “His character is really good, and we know that character is everything. He will fit into our culture, I have no doubt about that. I see leadership potential in Nathan. He’s a perfect Brentford player – hungry and ambitious with a desire to learn.”

Collins has proven himself at Brentford, and there is no doubt that he is good enough to play for the North London outfit.

Spurs were linked with the Republic of Ireland international at the start of the season as well, but the move did not materialise back then. According to The Daily Mail, Tottenham are now prepared to revisit the move. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. Thomas Frank is reportedly a huge admirer of the Brentford captain.

Collins could be a quality addition

Radu Dragusin has been linked with a move away from Tottenham, and they will need to replace him properly. Collins could prove to be an upgrade on the Romanian. However, it seems highly unlikely that Brentford will let their captain leave the club in the middle of the season. They are having an impressive season, and they will want to keep their squat intact.

As for Collins, he is likely to be tempted to join a big club and reunite with his former manager. But any move might have to wait until the summer transfer window.

Tottenham have looked vulnerable at the back this season, and they could miss out on European qualification unless they tighten up defensively. It remains to be seen whether they can get their season back on track.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Hugo Bueno from Wolves.

They were keen on signing Andrew Robertson from Liverpool, but the deal has collapsed. The Scottish international is unlikely to be allowed to leave Liverpool this month. According to TEAMtalk, they have now switched their attention towards the 23-year-old Wolves defender.

Hugo Bueno keen on a move

Bueno is keen to leave the club at the end of the season and compete at the highest level. The move to Tottenham could be exciting for the Spanish defender. Tottenham have been monitoring him closely, and it will be interesting to see if they can get the deal done.

The report further claims that the defender could be available for a fee of around £20 million. Spurs certainly have the financial muscle to pay up, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal across the line. They need more depth in the left back department. Ben Davies will be out of contract at the end of the season, and Bueno could be the ideal long-term replacement for him. The 23-year-old is still quite young, and he will improve with coaching experience. Playing alongside quality players at Tottenham could bring out the best in him.

Bueno needs a big move

Meanwhile, Wolves are favourites to go down at the end of the season, and it is no surprise that the key players are already looking to move on. They will not want to compete in the second division of English football.

Bueno has shown his quality in the Premier League with Wolves, and the £20 million investment could prove to be a bargain in the long term.

Spurs have looked vulnerable at the back, and they need to improve in that area of the pitch if they want to fight for trophies.