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Tottenham are looking to use the January transfer window as an opportunity to add more flair and ingenuity to their attack.

Thomas Frank’s men have struggled to score goals in the absence of last season’s top scorer, Dominic Solanke, with the Englishman set to return at some point in the New Year.

That is why the Lilywhites have drafted up a shortlist of attackers, including Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who Spurs were linked with during the summer.

Semenyo is available for £65million due to a release clause in his contract, although Manchester City are the strongest contenders to sign the 25-year-old, and Frank could look elsewhere.

Tottenham make approach to sign Said El Mala

Cash was splashed in north London in the last transfer window, most notably the £55m shelled out on Xavi Simons.

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The Dutchman has largely struggled since moving to England, but that hasn’t deterred Frank from shopping in the Bundesliga.

Tottenham are in talks to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, Simons’ former club, as well as another teenage sensation.

According to SportBild, Spurs and Manchester United have launched concrete enquiries for FC Cologne starlet Said El Mala.

The report claims that the two Premier League giants would pay between £26m and £35m for the 19-year-old winger, although Cologne have already confirmed that their prized asset will remain in Germany until the end of the season.

El Mala has been in dazzling form in the Bundesliga this term, having already plundered six goals and three assists in 14 appearances.

For someone who doesn’t turn 20 until August next year, those returns have caught the eye, and if he continues performing at that rate, his value will skyrocket by the summer.

El Mala has drawn comparisons to Bukayo Saka

According to FBref, Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka is the eighth most statistically similar player to El Mala across Europe’s top five leagues, and there are multiple reasons why.

Capable of playing on either flank, El Mala has destroyed Bundesliga defences with his searing pace and incredible decision-making in the final third.

The Cologne youngster even ranks in the top one per cent of wingers across Europe for non-penalty goals per 90, while placing in the top three per cent for shots and the top four per cent for successful take-ons.

El Mala has been hailed as ‘remarkable’ by Cologne sporting director Thomas Kessler, and Spurs fans would surely love to see his talents in the Premier League.

This is who Johan Lange likes ahead of January transfer window at Tottenham

Johan Lange is working away in the background as Tottenham prepare for January.

With the winter window on the horizon, rumours of incomings and outgoings are beginning to heat up.

John Wenham has told Spurs to only target world-class players in January, as they look to make a push for European football again in the second half of the season.

Richarlison has been linked with an exit this winter, whilst Yves Bissouma also looks likely to leave Tottenham in the New Year.

Jamie Carragher believes Thomas Frank could be sacked by Tottenham if they lose to Liverpool, so it remains to be seen whether a new manager will be leading the recruitment charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January.

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Johan Lange identifies Belgian wonderkid for Spurs’ January shopping list

Regardless of whether Frank is or isn’t in the dugout come the opening of the January transfer window, Tottenham will be looking for players both for the present and indeed the future.

Paul O Keefe has since shared on X that Lilywhites director Lange has taken a shine to Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat.

O Keefe stresses that it would be one for the future if a deal were to be completed, given the fact he’s only 17, but he stopped short of confirming concrete Tottenham interest, saying: “If they’re even that interested”.

De Cat could be a very wise investment by Tottenham

Despite his youthfulness, De Cat has already made over 30 appearances in all competitions for Anderlecht and is an established Belgium youth international.

Ahead of their clash with Royal Antwerp, the defensive midfielder has made 24 total appearances and has started all but one of Anderlecht’s 18 Belgian Pro League games this season.

With it still unclear as to whether Tottenham will sign Bayern Munich loanee Joao Palhinha permanently, and with the aforementioned Bissouma looking likely to leave, Spurs could soon be short of defensive midfielders.

So, signing one of the hottest young prospects in European football in that department could be a very pragmatic move by Tottenham.

Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham could be under serious threat if they suffer another heavy defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.

Frank is under intense scrutiny as Spurs sit 11th in the Premier League table after 16 matches.

Tottenham’s defensive issues are at an all-time high, and Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest exposed Frank’s inability to get his side to play the ball out from the back.

Guglielmo Vicario played a loose pass to Archie Gray on the edge of Tottenham’s box, which was pounced on by Ibrahim Sangare, who squared the ball to Callum Hudson-Odoi to give Forest the lead.

The last thing Frank needs is a visit from Arne Slot’s Liverpool, and their world-class attack could cause them serious problems, even with their own issues clear.

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Tottenham’s meetings with Liverpool are full of goals

Tottenham versus Liverpool is the highest-scoring fixture in Premier League history, with 206 goals scored in their 66 matches.

The last three league matches between the pair have seen 21 goals, while there have been at least three goals in 14 of their last 16 Premier League meetings.

What’s even worse for Tottenham is that they have recorded five errors leading to opposition goals in the Premier League this season, with only Wolves (seven) recording more.

Despite the fact that Liverpool have been far from their best, they are still an incredible team that possesses incredible forwards, and they’ve proven to be deadly when facing the Lilywhites in the past.

Tottenham’s home record isn’t promising ahead of hosting Liverpool

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been anything but a fortress, and Frank has adapted poorly to life at his new home.

Spurs have lost 58.8 per cent (10/17) of their home matches this year, which is the highest they’ve ever recorded in the Premier League.

Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Fulham on 29 November left supporters furious, and Frank’s tactics have left Spurs somehow toothless in attack and open at the back.

Frank’s only saving grace is Spurs’ form in the Champions League, and they’re currently unbeaten at home in Europe.

Saturday could be judgment day for Frank, and unfortunately for the Dane, the evidence suggests that it could tip the majority of the fans against him.

Wilson Odobert must re-evaluate what he is doing at Tottenham after he was overlooked by his manager, says Darren Bent.

Tottenham fell to a miserable 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest at the weekend to generate renewed doubts around the direction of travel under Thomas Frank.

Odobert remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes despite Spurs needing to chase the game in the second half.

Guglielmo Vicario was at fault for both of Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goals, with the second a cross that flew straight over the Italian and in.

Rather than attacking reinforcements Frank surprisingly brought on Ben Davies, Joao Palhinha and Lucas Bergvall just after going 2-0 down, and Bent says that should set off alarm bells for Odobert as he was ignored for the whole match.

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Darren Bent says Odobert must look at himself

Frank did belatedly introduce attacking options for Tottenham when he brought on Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel, but bizarrely he waited until the game was already lost thanks to Ibrahim Sangare adding a third before he did so.

Speaking live on talkSPORT Bent thinks the whole situation was a damning indictment on Odobert’s standing, since the young Frenchman was apparently not deemed suitable to deliver any sort of spark to the struggling Spurs attack.

“I’d be devastated, right, but partly I’d have to look at myself as well,” Bent said. “Ben Davies coming on, Palhinha coming on, Bergvall.

“If I’m Odobert and these players are coming on before me I’m thinking ‘hold on a second, I’m not doing something right here, there’s no way the manager’s first port of call should be a defender over me’.“

Odobert has made 14 appearances in the Premier League under Frank but has started just four, although the Forest defeat was only the second league fixture he hasn’t featured in, along with the 3-0 win at Everton in October.

Odobert risks career derailment amid Tottenham chaos

The fact that Frank uses the 21-year-old regularly is clearly better than the alternative, but with the Dane seemingly unsure of his best XI and whoever he selects in attack too often underachieving it doesn’t say much that Odobert struggles to crack the starting line up.

It would appear the perfect point for him to seize some initiative and make up for lost time after he was knocked out for a long stretch last term under Ange Postecoglou through injury.

Instead he risks stagnating if a difficult debut season in the Premier League bleeds into a second where nobody is sure what he offers, or confident of how often he will do so.

Admittedly Frank’s choices at the City Ground were baffling all round so the fault may lie with the Dane as much as Odobert himself, but after making an understandable step up from Burnley two summers ago he could disappear amongst the shuffle if there is another managerial change and end up farmed out on loan if he isn’t careful.

Thomas Frank could soon be on his way out of Tottenham.

Frank is coming under heavy scrutiny at Tottenham after a far-from-ideal start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Dane has been linked closer to the sack after Spurs fell to a 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest away at the City Ground.

Guglielmo Vicario was slammed at Forest as the Italian was arguably at fault for two goals, although that won’t make a difference to the head coach’s future.

Frank is now looking ahead to a clash against Liverpool that could mark the end of his tenure in North London.

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Thomas Frank could face sack after Liverpool clash

Tottenham are preparing to host Liverpool in N17 with a view to getting back to winning ways after Spurs’ defeat against Forest last time out.

The Lilywhites had been on a largely positive run of form with back-to-back wins against Brentford and Slavia Prague.

Arne Slot’s side have hit a better vein of form after their early season struggles, having one five without defeat across all competitions.

Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher hasn’t afforded Spurs much hope against the Reds, backing his old side for a 2-1 away win in his Super 6 predictions.

The Sky Sports pundit has also suggested that this result could represent the end of the line once the full-time whistle sounds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He said: “Liverpool have some life about them now and could mark the end of Thomas Frank’s reign at White Hart Lane with a win against Spurs.“

Oliver Glasner could replace Frank at Tottenham

The wider fan base in North London has run out of patience with Frank after a frustrating spell since his move from Brentford.

There is no clear style of play, leaving results and performances with plenty to be desired, especially with the Lilywhites sitting 11th in the Premier League.

Should the Danish head coach taste defeat against Liverpool and face the sack, there is one clear option as an alternative moving forward.

Oliver Glasner could prove to be the ideal candidate for the Lilywhites with the German set to depart Crystal Palace in the coming months.

Tottenham could splash the cash on a new forward in the January transfer window, and Antoine Semenyo is one player on their wish list.

Spurs were linked with Semenyo in the summer, but the Ghanaian international remained at Bournemouth and has since set the Premier League alight.

The 25-year-old has plundered seven goals and provided three assists in 15 top-flight appearances this term, seeing his stock and value skyrocket.

Semenyo has a £65million release clause in his contract that is waiting to be triggered by multiple clubs, and that is the issue for Thomas Frank.

Man City are ‘strongest contenders’ for Antoine Semenyo

Ahead of the January transfer window opening, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are queuing up for the attacker’s signature.

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According to Sky Sports reporters, Lyall Thomas and Rob Dorsett, though, Man City are the ‘strongest contenders’ to land Semenyo, with Pep Guardiola taking a liking to the Cherries sensation.

City flexing their financial muscles and power could place them in a prominent position to capture the Ghanaian, even if they can’t offer him guaranteed starts.

But with top clubs chasing the former Bristol City man, there’s a risk that Spurs miss out on another statement signing, something that became a common theme throughout the summer.

Tottenham’s move for Eberechi Eze being hijacked by Arsenal was the most notable example, and they had to settle for the £52m capture of Xavi Simons instead.

To avoid becoming a victim of this narrative once more, Frank should arguably look elsewhere for a quality wide player in January, and he could have the perfect alternative.

Tottenham should push to sign Rafael Leao

Spurs were linked with a move for winger Rafael Leao during the summer, but the Lilywhites were priced out of a move for the Portuguese international, with AC Milan demanding an £87m fee.

But on many occasions, Leao has indicated he wants to leave the Italian giants, and that could open the door for Tottenham to swoop at a lower price.

Frank is crying out for a difference maker on the left flank, someone capable of crafting opportunities for themselves, and the 26-year-old would fit that bill.

Leao has been dubbed ‘one of the best in the world’, and considering he has 76 goals and 63 assists in 272 appearances at Milan, it’s hard to argue against him being a world-class talent.

Combining frightening pace with precise dribbling and ruthless finishing, Leao would be a statement signing and perhaps even a dream addition.

Tottenham supporters are always seeking new transfers to improve their team, but they may have the next big thing in their ranks already.

Daniel Levy was often villainised by Tottenham fans for not spending regularly enough in the transfer window.

However, that accusation could not be levelled at him in the summer, as Spurs spent nearly £180million on new transfers.

They do not need to do that type of spending spree again, according to Lilywhites’ insider John Wenham.

Tottenham should only be signing £100m players

Wenham believes that Tottenham should only be spending money on signings that are in the £100m range, so as not to block the pathway for young players.

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He used the example of Luka Vuskovic, who has been touted as a future superstar, to highlight his point, claiming that he is ready to slot in to the senior side next season.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, he said: “It is pointless fans asking for X,Y and Z signings, we should only be making signings as a club, that are absolutely world class, in that £100-80million pound bracket.

“That come in and instantly displace people in the first eleven, I think we are beyond the stage now, where adding £30m-25m players, they just become path blockers at this point.

“We have got another situation on the horizon now, Tottenham fans are saying let’s add another centre-back, well you have got Luka Vuskovic, who is widely regarded as a generational talent.

“He is already starting for Croatia at just 18 years of age, he is starting every week in the Bundesliga on loan at Hamburg, getting very high plaudits.

“We should be making a space for him to come back next summer, it should be a foregone conclusion, we have got Romero, we have got Van de Ven, we have Danso, we don’t need to sign another centre-back.

“We know that Vuskovic is coming back, and he should be challenging for a place in the backline, adding another average player doesn’t make sense to me, but fans always want the next shiny thing.”

Why Tottenham should turn to youth

Tottenham need to start giving their youngsters a chance to thrive in the first team, as proved by the progress of the likes of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray.

Spurs have the likes of Luca Williams-Barnett and Tynan Thompson on the verge of stepping up, but if they do not get the chance, they will never fulfil their potential.

Vuskovic should be given his opportunity when he returns to the club as Wenham states, as he looks a top-class prospect.

The N17 outfit needs to make the most of their youth talent, and the state-of-the-art facilities at their disposal.

The Lewis family’s public explanation for getting rid of former Tottenham executive chairman Daniel Levy has been disputed amid transfer requirements ahead of the January window.

Levy was suddenly removed from his role at Tottenham in September after 25 years at the club, although he continues to own shares in the club’s ownership vehicle ENIC.

Speculation soon mounted that a takeover was imminent, although ENIC immediately claimed Tottenham were not for sale.

The Spurs owners have since pumped in £100 million in new cash but there are doubts over their long-term plans, and their willingness to spend heavily in the next two transfer windows as Thomas Frank continues to struggle.

Alex Crook claims Tottenham sale is planned

After Tottenham were easily beaten 3-0 at Nottingham Forest on Sunday it is widely thought that serious investment is needed in the playing squad, with the club currently 11th in the Premier League after finishing 17th last term.

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Speaking live on talkSPORT, journalist Alex Crook expressed doubts over whether the controlling Lewis family would be willing to put their money where their mouth is in order to deliver on-pitch success as claimed.

Although a £4.5 billion Tottenham takeover fronted by Brooklyn Earick ultimately didn’t come about in recent weeks, Crook believes a sale is still on the cards, and that was the reason for Levy‘s ousting.

He said: “When Daniel Levy was ousted we were told by the Lewis family, who have now taken control of the football club and day-to-day decision-making, that they wanted sporting success.

“Well, to get that they’re going to have to break the bank. They’re going to have to do it in January, bring in some reinforcements, and they’re certainly going to have to do it next summer as well.

“So, let’s see if they actually do want sporting success or actually, as I suspect, the reason that they got rid of Daniel Levy is they’re trying to sell the football club.”

ENIC must stick or twist on Tottenham sale

In theory sporting success and a lucrative sale of the club should go hand in hand, since the Europa League win under Ange Postecoglou last term undoubtedly raised the profile of a club that simply hasn’t had the returns on the pitch for the infrastructure that has been put in place with the stadium and facilities, making it all the more attractive.

But it can’t be forgotten that this side would have been relegated from the Premier League last season if the three promoted clubs hadn’t been so badly out of their depth.

Even the threat of going down would necessarily hit the valuation of the club hugely, and would likely cause buyers to hesitate, even if just to see if they could get more of a bargain.

The Tottenham owners are reportedly still content to give Frank time despite the poor form, so if they don’t see the Dane as the problem it is hard to see any alternative than for them to back him in the transfer market.

Tottenham have rekindled their interest in signing Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi.

Spurs were linked to Frattesi in the summer, but although a deal never materialised, internal figures have been keeping tabs on the Italian’s situation.

Tottenham are ready to be active in the January transfer market, and midfield is an area which is emerging as one that Thomas Frank wants to improve.

N17 is reportedly the “most appealing destination” for Frattesi, as the Lilywhites may test the waters with an offer soon.

Tottenham see Davide Frattesi as a long-term leader

Frattesi has won the Serie A and Super Cup while at Inter Milan, but this season has completely fallen out of favour with head coach Cristian Chivu.

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Tottenham could now benefit and look for a cut-price deal for a midfielder who is truly a game-changer.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes on Monday, Tottenham see Frattesi as a midfielder who can be part of a title-winning squad in the coming seasons.

Despite interest from Chelsea and Liverpool, Tottenham look like the favourites due to their ability to promise the 26-year-old a leading midfield role.

Frattesi is said to be a player who can fit in Frank’s high-pressure system while possessing key tactical knowledge of the game.

Antonio Conte wants to sign Frattesi

Antonio Conte joined Tottenham as head coach back in November 2021 and left the Lilywhites in March 2023 after failing to deliver success.

Since departing N17, the former Spurs boss has found joy managing back in his homeland with Napoli.

Ironically, Tottenham could come in and steal a player who Conte greatly admires in Frattesi.

As per Areanapoli in September, Conte had admitted that he likes Frattesi, and if he were ever made available for transfer, the head coach would look at bringing the star man to his Napoli side.

Unfortunately for him, it looks like Spurs may be the midfielder’s best option here.

Thomas Frank’s future is already in serious doubt at Tottenham but the situation looks certain to get even worse in the coming weeks.

Frank is now under huge sack pressure at Spurs as his side sit 11th in the Premier League, having picked up just 22 points from 16 games this season.

Tottenham were beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest on Sunday in what was another dismal showing, with several individual errors being punished.

Guglielmo Vicario and Archie Gray were at fault for Forest’s opener, and the Italian goalkeeper made another mistake later in the game as Callum Hudson-Odoi added a second.

Tottenham predicted to drop further down the Premier League

The situation at Tottenham is already bad, but worryingly, Spurs should be even further down the league than they already are.

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According to Opta, Frank’s side are outperforming their expected goals (xG) by 9.7, which is more than any other team in the Premier League.

It means that Tottenham have actually been incredibly clinical so far this season, a feat that seems unsustainable given the lack of quality and confidence in the squad.

Spurs have already been struggling to score goals in recent weeks, finding the net just eight times in their last seven Premier League games, and the underlying numbers say the problem is just going to keep getting worse.

Thomas Frank must address chance creation issues

The reason that Tottenham’s xG figure is so low is that they are simply not having enough shots.

In the Premier League this season, only Wolves, Burnley and Sunderland have had less attempts than Frank’s side (152), and two of those three teams are in the relegation zone.

Spurs are unsurprisingly having a similar problem testing the opposition goalkeeper, and rank 17th again in the top-flight for shots on target this term.

With Dominic Solanke out injured, Frank has been forced to use the likes of Richarlison up front, which could be contributing to his side’s poor numbers.

The former Brentford boss must find a solution very quickly, or the situation in North London will become terminal.