FootballFanCast

Tottenham Hotspur have made two high-profile additions to their playing squad during the summer transfer window in an attempt to improve Thomas Frank's squad.

Mohammed Kudus was signed on a permanent deal from West Ham United earlier in the summer, and Joao Palhinha recently joined from Bayern Munich on an initial loan deal.

The Lilywhites will be hoping that the Portugal international can provide a solid presence in front of the back four, sweeping up to win possession back for his side on a regular basis.

There is still more work to be done by Daniel Levy and Frank before the summer transfer window slams shut, though, after the injury to James Maddison.

The England international is set to miss the majority of the 2025/26 campaign after he suffered an ACL injury, which has left Spurs light in the attacking positions.

Fabrizio Romano recently reported that the Europa League champions will be "looking at the market" to find a potential replacement for Maddison for the upcoming season.

Why Spurs need to replace James Maddison

The Lilywhites are right to be looking at possible replacements for the former Norwich and Leicester star because his absence will be felt within the squad.

Maddison ended the 2024/25 campaign with a haul of ten goals and 12 assists in all competitions for Spurs, and he has hit double figures for goals in four of the last five seasons for Tottenham and Leicester combined.

The English playmaker has proven that he can deliver goals and assists on a fairly regular basis, and he offered a leadership presence as one of the vice-captains behind Heung-min Son last term.

Maddison's performances in the Premier League under Ange Postecoglou last season show how important he can be to the team with his contributions at the top end of the pitch from an attacking midfield position.

As you can see in the table above, the 28-year-old star ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of key attacking metrics, as the English ace provided quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

These statistics illustrate how big a blow it was to lose Maddison to an ACL injury for most of the upcoming season, because he is an effective attacking force who has proven himself over many years at the top level.

That is why Spurs need to find a replacement for him before the end of the summer transfer window, and they are reportedly keen on a star who plays for one of their Premier League rivals, and it is not Morgan Gibbs-White...

Spurs eyeing deal for Manchester City midfielder

According to GIVEMESPORT, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to sign Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee this summer.

The report claims that the Lilywhites have identified the England U21 international as one of a number of potential replacements for Maddison, and that the club are now weighing up who to go for.

It adds that teams in Germany and England are also eyeing up the former Sheffield United star, but they have been put off by the £40m price tag on his head.

GIVEMESPORT reveals that McAtee is interested in a move to North London and is currently waiting to see if Spurs are prepared to formalise their interest with an offer.

The outlet states that Tottenham are not put off by the £40m asking price, suggesting that they are prepared to pay the asking price, but they have yet to decide whether or not McAtee is the player they are going to make a big push for.

Why Spurs should sign James McAtee

The Manchester City youngster could be a shrewd addition to the squad as a replacement for Maddison, as he could be the ideal player to fill the gap in the squad.

A potential issue with 'replacing' Maddison is that the club also have to be aware that he will, hopefully, return to action before the end of the 2025/26 campaign and will be an option moving forward.

McAtee, at the age of 22, may be happy to play regularly for most of this season before competing with Maddison for a starting role next year and beyond. Whereas an established, 28-year-old, £60m+ signing may expect to start every week even when Maddison is back fit, which could be a difficult situation to manage in the future.

The left-footed attacking midfielder only played 27 matches in all competitions as a bit-part player for City last season, but still managed to find the back of the net seven times.

McAtee, who was described as a "special" player by Pep Guardiola, only started three of his 15 appearances in the Premier League for City, but showed glimpses of the quality that he can offer.

As you can see in the table above, the English whiz ranked highly among his positional peers in per 90 metrics, which shows that he produced quite a lot in his limited minutes on the pitch.

Whether he is able to maintain that output as a consistent starter is still up in the air, but Cole Palmer is the prime example that being a reserve player at Manchester City does not mean you cannot shine elsewhere.

McAtee also scored one goal and provided two assists in five starts at the U21 Euros for England, winning the tournament, during the summer, which shows what he can do when given regular minutes as well.

Overall, McAtee's potential to deliver goals and assists, or at least the xA that should result in assists, as an attacking midfielder in the Premier League could make him a dream signing for Spurs, along with his age meaning that he still has plenty of room left to grow and develop.

Tottenham Hotspur have not had a summer to remember since Ange Postecoglou lifted the Europa League after beating Manchester United at the end of last season.

The Lilywhites have only brought in two new senior players to bolster the squad, on top of Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel signing permanently, as Joao Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus have both been snapped up, from Bayern Munich and West Ham United respectively.

Thomas Frank has, therefore, not had many reinforcements come through the door to bolster a squad that finished one place above the relegation zone in the Premier League in the 2024/25 campaign.

On top of the lack of recruits coming in, the new head coach has also lost James Maddison for the majority of next season after he suffered an ACL injury.

The England international is not the only player who is currently out injured, though, as Dejan Kulusevski is set to miss the first month of the new season after undergoing patella surgery.

Why Kulusevski's injury is a blow for Spurs

Whilst the Sweden international will not be out for anywhere near as long as Maddison will be, the left-footed star's absence for the next four weeks or so will still be a blow for Frank.

The former Juventus winger is a quality operator on the wing and in the number ten position, which means that Spurs have lost a versatile, as well as a quality, option in the short term.

Kulusevski made 43 appearances in the Premier League and the Europa League combined last season, and showcased his ability on the ball in both competitions.

The 25-year-old magician has the quality to carve open opposition defences to create high-quality opportunities for his teammates on a regular basis, particularly in the Premier League.

As you can see in the table above, Kulusevski created just over two chances per game on average for the team in the top-flight, but was only rewarded with four assists.

Meanwhile, no other Spurs player created more than 1.7 chances per game on average in the Premier League last season, which speaks to how important the Swedish star was as a creative force at the top end of the pitch.

That is why losing him to an injury is a blow for Frank heading into the opening month of the season, and also why the club need to be in the market for more attacking players.

Spurs place Ligue 1 star on their radar

Tottenham Hotspur fans should be pleased to read that the club are reportedly looking to bring in a player who could be a Kulusevski clone this summer.

According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, Spurs have placed Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche on their radar as they look to bolster their squad before the end of the transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Europa League champions want to add more creativity to the group in the coming weeks because of the injury to Maddison, which will see him miss most of next season.

Vidal adds that Akliouche is viewed as a versatile and quality attacking option and that the club are monitoring his situation, but they have not submitted an official offer for his services as of yet.

It has previously been reported that Arsenal are also interested in the 23-year-old talent, who is valued at around £60m by Monaco, which shows that there could be some competition for his services.

Why Spurs should sign Akliouche

The Lilywhites should formalise their interest with an official bid for the French whiz because he could come in as a Kulusevski clone to ease the blow of losing him to injury, and to compete with the former Juventus man when he is fit.

Like the Swedish maestro, Akliouche is a versatile attacking player who can play centrally as a number ten or out wide on the right, drifting infield onto his favoured left foot.

As partially evidenced by his incredible overhead kick in the clip above, the £60m-rated star also brings outstanding technical quality at the top end of the pitch, much like Kulusevski does.

Akliouche, whose technical skills were hailed as "majestic" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, scored five goals and created a whopping 15 'big chances' in 27 starts in Ligue 1 for Monaco last season, which means that he created six more 'big chances' than the Spurs man did in the Premier League.

As you can see in the table above, the Spurs target was one of the most creative players in the French top-flight last season, as he ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of creative metrics.

These statistics suggest that Tottenham would be signing a player who can unlock opposition defences on a regular basis to create high-quality chances for the likes of Dominic Solanke, Kudus, Richarlison, and Tel to stick in the back of the net.

Akliouche appears to have the potential to fill the creative gap left by the injuries to Maddison and Kuluveski, whilst being a clone of the latter for Frank to call upon throughout the season.

When both are fit, Akliouche and Kulusevski could fight for the same position and push each other to improve in training, creating real competitions for places within the squad to ensure that there is no complacency in the XI.

It is now down to Spurs to act upon their interest by swooping in with an offer to sign the French talent before the end of the summer transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has now approved a move for a "sensational" £55m attacker, and contact was made earlier this week, according to a report.

Spurs keen on new attacking midfielder after Maddison blow

A matter of days before the UEFA Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham have been dealt a major injury blow, with it being revealed that James Maddison is set to undergo surgery, after rupturing his ACL in the friendly against Newcastle United.

Frank has since admitted that Maddison will be a real loss for his side next season, saying: "I think it’s disappointing but also devastating for me and mainly for Madders that he’s out of the team. We will miss him and no doubt he will miss playing football."

Even prior to the England international picking up a long-term injury, the Lilywhites had been chasing a new attacking midfielder, having failed to bring in Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White earlier in the transfer window.

Maddison's injury blow will only exacerbate the need for Frank to bring in a new attacking midfielder, and a report from GiveMeSport has now revealed the manager has approved a move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

Indeed, the Dane is said to have given a move for Eze the green light, and there is a belief that enquiries were made earlier this week, with Tottenham looking to hijack north London rivals Arsenal, who have also been expected to make a move.

However, the Gunners are having doubts over whether the 27-year-old would be a suitable addition to the squad, potentially opening the door for a move to Spurs, with Frank in need of replacements for both Maddison and Son Heung-min.

"Sensational" Eze could be coup for Tottenham

Even the most ardent Tottenham fan would have to admit that Arsenal are better-placed to compete for top players at present, which means it could be a major coup if they were to hijack their rivals, amid the uncertainty as to whether he'd be suited to Mikel Arteta's squad.

A deal would not be cheap, with it being revealed the attacking midfielder's current employers could ask for £55m, but there are clear signs he could be entering the prime of his career, after performing very well for the Eagles last season.

Most notably, the Greenwich-born attacker scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final, while also amassing 16 goal contributions in the Premier League, and Rory Jennings believes he would be an ideal addition to Frank's squad.

With Maddison likely to have an extended period on the treatment table, it is now absolutely vital that Tottenham bring in a new attacking midfielder this summer, and Eze's performances last season suggest he could be a fantastic signing.

Tottenham Hotspur fell by the wayside last season, but they picked themselves back up when on the road in Europe and managed to win the Europa League.

It was quite a feat, with Ange Postecoglou securing himself some poetic justice after promising silverware right at the start of the season, unaware of the landslide in form that was forthcoming in the Premier League.

Though Tottenham finished 17th in the top flight, they struggled against an incredible amount of injuries that knocked Postecoglou's vision so far away from course, and that ultimately led to his dismissal as a trophy-winning hero.

With Thomas Frank now at the helm, Spurs are ready to springboard toward new heights, using last season as a foundation for a sustained period of success.

However, despite adding Mohammed Kudus to the wings, joining from West Ham United for £55m, and reinforcing the midfield with the initial loan signing of Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha, the Lilywhites want more.

Spurs' outstanding summer transfer plans

James Maddison's knee injury will see him sidelined for the majority of the imminent campaign. It's a cruel blow, and it has added emphasis on the need for a creative midfielder, with Dejan Kulusevski still recuperating from an injury too.

However, with Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur both anticipated to be leaving the club this summer, it's not out of the question that Frank adds a deeper-lying midfielder to his ranks, even after signing Palhinha.

Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton has been earmarked as a long-term option for the Tottenham midfield, but the Eagles man will be hard to sign.

However, there's another Premier League talent who has entered technical director Johan Lange's radar.

Spurs lining up another midfielder

According to Caught Offside, Tottenham have joined the long list of clubs interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba this month.

The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the Premier League's brightest talents, and the Seagulls have no intention to sell, having priced their midfielder at a jaw-dropping £104m.

Manchester United have already made their intentions known in the last week and have started direct contacts with the player's camp as they look to pull off a sensational August signing.

However, Tottenham boast the allure of Champions League football, and could offer him a starring role, should their aforementioned midfielders be sold.

Why Spurs should sign Carlos Baleba

Tottenham need to add not just quantity but quality to their ranks this summer. Signings not for the sake of signing but for the graduation from one level to another, restoring a place among the big hitters on the Champions League stage and challenging for more silverware.

Baleba could be that player, having had a profound impact on Brighton's football over the past two seasons, with analyst Ben Mattinson singling him out as a "one-of-a-kind" midfielder.

Though this is a physical beast of a player with a clear skill for protecting the backline and flying in with crunching challenges, he's also a progressive and technically sharp midfielder, ranked among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.

He also knows his way around a thunderous strike, winning the Premier League Goal of the month for April 2025 after a powerful late winner against West Ham United.

His completeness in the middle of the park and underrated passing range, having completed 88% of his passes in the Premier League last season, could lead Baleba to prove an even better signing for Frank's side than Wharton, whose deep-lying elegance for Crystal Palace has led journalist Henry Winter to declare him a "passing machine".

As per Sofascore, Wharton also brought firm defensive roots to the table in the Premier League last year, averaging one interception and 1.7 tackles per game, but he also missed a large chunk of the season due to a groin injury, ultimately starting only 16 times in the top flight.

Given the defensive woes that Tottenham endured under Ange's wing last season, it's crucial that the midfield raises its level and eases the pressure on the defenders.

The tough-tackling Palhinha will help in that regard, to be sure, but then Palhinha is 30 years old, almost a decade Baleba and Wharton's senior.

Given that the marquee buy would cross the £100m threshold, it's obvious that Frank and Levy would expect the player to cement themselves as one of the finest in the division across so many years. And given that Baleba has more of an all-encompassing profile about him, bringing it all together, it might just be that he's the perfect player to replace the likes of Bissouma and Bentancur.

Content creator Ryan Adsett has hailed the Cameroon international as a "powerhouse", who has also displayed a remarkable degree of intelligence, reading the game like a scholar and positioning himself just so.

His engine and strength would charge Frank's system for an age, and if Spurs truly are in the running, they must get this one done.

Tottenham have reportedly made an attempt to sign one "world-class" forward from Barcelona, with the La Liga champions delivering a reply.

Thomas Frank desperately needs backing in these final few weeks of the summer window, after watching Son Heung-min complete a £20 million move to LAFC and James Maddison be ruled out for most of next season.

Maddison will miss the majority of 2025/2026 following confirmation of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in his right knee - sustained during Tottenham’s pre-season friendly in Seoul against Newcastle United last Sunday.

The injury struck just minutes after he came on as a substitute, with the playmaker needing to be stretchered off. Maddison will now undergo surgery and rehabilitation, dealing an almighty blow to Frank's chances of a winning start to his tenure.

The Dane described Maddison's absence as “devastating,” lamenting the loss not just for the team, but for the player personally.

“I think it’s disappointing but also devastating for me and mainly for Madders that he’s out of the team,” said Frank, speaking after Thursday evening’s friendly defeat to Bayern. “We will miss him and no doubt he will miss playing football.”

His absence leaves a notable creative void, with Spurs already thin in that area. Frank's side were already working to sign an attacking midfielder before Maddison's return to the sidelines (Fabrizio Romano), but those plans must now intensify with Tottenham minus one of their chief forward outlets.

The Lilywhites had booked a medical for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White last month (BBC), only for his club to block the £60 million move and tie him down with a brand-new contract - forcing Spurs back to square one in their search for a number 10.

A host of intriguing targets have been linked in the last few days alone, including Man City's Jack Grealish, AC Milan's Rafael Leao, Como starlet Nico Paz, Liverpool forward Harvey Elliott and Savinho.

All the aforementioned men can be used as playmakers when required, as can Barça forward Ferran Torres.

Tottenham get response after £43m bid for Barcelona star Ferran Torres

The Spain international has predominantly been used a left-winger, right-winger or striker under Hansi Flick, but also played in central attacking midfield on rare occasions earlier in his career.

Frank could use Torres as a replacement for Son and Maddison, theoretically, but it appears Spurs are set to be snubbed in their attempts to sign the ex-City sensation.

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham made a £43 million bid for Torres recently. However, the cash-strapped Catalans have still decided not to sell, especially considering his new lease of life towards the second half of 2024/2025.

Torres scored 19 goals and bagged a further seven assists last season, and would've been a fantastic asset for Frank, but it appears the north Londoners will have to continue their search for attackers elsewhere.

"He's a player on another level, he's spectacular: how he understands the space, links play, doesn't lose the ball, his defensive work... he's world-class," said ex-Barca boss, Xavi.

"He's a great signing, one I wanted, and a wonderful footballer."

Morgan Gibbs-White has been a player hugely linked with Tottenham Hotspur throughout this summer window, with Thomas Frank desperately wanting to land the Nottingham Forest star.

The 25-year-old, who registered 15 combined goals and assists in the Premier League last season, looked set to move to North London at one stage - but a deal fell through at the 11th hour.

Despite triggering the £60m release clause in his deal at the City Ground, it quickly emerged that the Reds were unhappy with the move, claiming the Lilywhites had made an illegal approach for his services.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis threatened legal action against Daniel Levy, which saw a deal evaporate, leading to the player signing a new three-year deal in the East Midlands.

Undoubtedly, missing out on the Englishman’s signature will be a bitter blow to the boss and the fans, but other targets have since been drawn up in an attempt to improve the current issue.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new talent this summer

Jack Grealish is a player who has been on Spurs’ radar over recent days, with talks even being held with Manchester City to land the 29-year-old on a temporary basis.

However, they could be set to miss out on the former Aston Villa star, with Everton seemingly taking the lead in the race for his signature before the September 1st deadline.

They haven’t had to look far for other targets, turning their attention towards Grealish’s teammate James McAtee, according to TBR Football’s latest update.

They claim that the Lilywhites have already held talks with Pep Guardiola’s side over a move for the 22-year-old, who’s said to be valued at £40m this summer.

However, it also states they aren’t alone in their hunt for the attacking midfielder, with Nottingham Forest also keen on adding the youngster to their ranks in the coming weeks.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be their answer to Gibbs-White

Current boss Frank has previously stated his admiration for Gibbs-White, which could make missing out on his signature a disappointment ahead of the new season.

However, it should be taken as a positive, with the hierarchy evidently wanting to back the new manager in his quest for success during his first year in charge.

Such funds could easily go towards other additions, desperately needing reinforcements in such an area after James Maddison suffered an ACL injury in the pre-season clash against Newcastle United.

It’s vital that the club get the right option to help push Frank’s side towards an upwards trajectory, needing to evaluate all the players currently on their radar.

However, McAtee should be a star at the top of the list, with the youngster already highlighting the talent he possesses despite his limited action and his tender age.

When comparing his stats to those of Gibbs-White, he’s managed to match or better him in numerous key areas from the 2024/25 campaign, potentially being the Lilywhites’ own version of the Forest talisman.

McAtee, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by boss Guardiola, posted a higher shot on target accuracy rate, along with a better goal and assist rate per 90, arguably being a more effective option in front of goal.

He also achieved a better pass completion rate, whilst making more carries into the final third, which could make him a bigger threat to the opposition with the ball at his feet - bolstering the quality Frank has at his disposal in attacking areas.

The City star’s dominance is further reflected in his higher tally of crosses completed per 90, and average touches in the opposition box - able to provide the goods for others, whilst getting on the end of players who set him up in front of goal.

£40m may appear to be a hefty sum for a player with just 15 league appearances last season, but he’s already showcased he’s better than Gibbs-White in various key areas.

If he can continue on the current track he’s on, he will develop into a much bigger star than the Forest number ten, with missing out on his signature potentially a blessing in disguise.

It is no secret that Tottenham are in the market for attacking options this summer, and have been for quite some time. However, the need to back Thomas Frank with proven new faces has increased tenfold in the last week.

Spurs have now lost playmaker James Maddison to a crippling ACL rupture, with the England international poised to undergo surgery on his right knee after being stretchered off in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle last Sunday.

The 28-year-old had only just returned from a knee injury which kept him out of the Europa League final, but Frank won't see Maddison don the Lilywhites jersey again for another six to nine months - which is the typical recovery time for ACL injuries.

This devastating blow comes right after legend Son Heung-min sealed an MLS record-breaking move to LAFC, bringing an end to his glittering 10-year stay at Spurs where he cemented himself as one of the club's greatest ever Premier League players.

Frank has also confirmed that Dejan Kulusevski will remain out injured for a "long time" as well, so Tottenham go into their UEFA Super Clash against PSG next week in a very sorry state.

Some experts believe that the Sweden international may not return until November at the earliest, so it is absolutely non-negotiable that Daniel Levy enters the market for new forwards - or risk yet another lacklustre Premier League campaign right after their 17th-placed finish.

Tottenham have been linked with a host of attacking options in recent days, including the likes of Man City outcast Jack Grealish, AC Milan's Rafael Leao, Liverpool sensation Harvey Elliott and Man City winger Savinho.

Now, as per journalist Graeme Bailey of TBR Football, versatile £212,000-per-week PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani remains a target for Frank's side.

Despite being firmly out of Luis Enrique's plans at the Parc des Princes, Kolo Muani enjoyed a stellar second half of 24/25 on loan at Juventus - showcasing his very best and letting suitors know that he still possesses serious quality.

At Eintracht Frankfurt, the Frenchman bagged 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions during his best-ever season to date in 2022/2023, so he could be an excellent option.

Tottenham eye Randal Kolo Muani with PSG very keen to sell

According to Bailey and TBR, Tottenham are considering the signing of Kolo Muani, with Juve's talks to sign the 26-year-old going nowhere.

However, they face competition from Newcastle, who are desperate to sign a striker after their failed move for Man United no.9 Benjamin Sesko.

“Kolo Muani has been set for Juventus for most of this summer, but his people have been doing work on other options in recent weeks as talks with PSG have stalled,” Bailey said.

“I am told that Kolo Muani was open to a move to England in January before he opted for Italy and Juve, but now a Premier League option is available again.

“Spurs are still interested, but Newcastle are now very much in the mix and pushing forward with talks as they are looking to see what a deal would look like.

“PSG are more than open to a deal, and we understand they have informed Juventus that they are now talking to other clubs."

The former Bundesliga sensation can play as a centre-forward, second striker and in both wide areas - so he could be a very useful asset to Frank as a replacement for Son, or even Richarlison if the Brazilian leaves.

Tottenham Hotspur have added some shrewd signings to Thomas Frank's fledgling project this summer, Mohammed Kudus adding flair to the widths and Joao Palhinha bringing some steely mettle to the engine room.

However, Heung-min Son has completed a £20m transfer to LAFC in the United States, and James Maddison has ruptured his ACL and will be sidelined for the lion's share of the season.

Spurs have issues in midfield and attack, but Daniel Levy might be convinced to add another signing to his team's backline, even though Cristian Romero looks set to stay amid interest from Atletico Madrid.

Spurs eyeing Serie A raid

Tottenham have had a lot of success in raiding the Italain top flight for talented up-and-comers in recent years, with the likes of Romero and Destiny Udogie springing to mind.

However, Dejan Kulusevski might be the cream of that crop, having hit his stride last season and made good on praise from football scout Jacek Kulig that he is a "world-class talent".

Now, Tottenham are ready to repeat their trick by raiding one of the Serie A superpowers for another elite player, with sights set on AC Milan's Malick Thiaw.

According to Caught Offside, Spurs and Arsenal have joined the race for the German centre-back, with Newcastle United already displaying a vested interest this month.

Thiaw, 24, had been the subject of a €30m (£26m) offer from Newcastle, though this was rejected, with the Rossoneri thought to be holding out for £30m.

Why Spurs want Malick Thiaw

Having joined Milan from Schalke three years ago, Thiaw has made 85 appearances for his Italian side, bringing a dynamic defensive skill set to the squad.

Both crisp and enterprising with his passing, Thiaw ranks among the top 6% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, and the top 14% for progressive passes played per 90, as per FBref.

A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent's goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.

He's also been hailed as a "monster in the air" by journalist Martino Puccio, so would bring some substance to the team, ensuring some defensive solidity is found where such went lacking last year.

Given that Micky van de Ven and Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate are considered two of his most comparable players, it feels like Frank could hit the jackpot with this one, emulating the deal for Kulusevski and allowing him to grow into one of the Premier League's superstars.

Tottenham signed Kulusevski from Juventus on an initial loan in January 2022, wrapping a move up 18 months later for a shrewd £25m fee (a similar ballpark to Thiaw now).

Last season, the 25-year-old Kulusevski finally struck a balance between his output, with Ange Postecoglou shifting him into a central attacking midfield berth to an emphatic effect.

Not just a potent attacking threat, the Sweden international's energy and tenacity fed the belief of his teammates, and he was often a shining light throughout a challenging, albeit ultimately rewarding, season.

He averaged 4.1 successful duels and 1.4 tackles per league match, as per Sofascore, and added much to the Ange system when it needed him most.

In Thiaw, Spurs could repeat the trick, signing a rising talent who has more than his position demands of him. It's one that Tottenham need to get over the line as they head back onto the Champions League stage.

Tottenham have had a worryingly quiet summer transfer window so far, and Thomas Frank quite simply must strengthen before the start of his debut campaign in the north London dugout.

While the likes of Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea spend hundreds of millions on reinforcing their squads, ahead of what is expected to be a very competitive Premier League season, Spurs boast just three major first-team signings.

Mohammed Kudus arrived in a £55 million deal from West Ham, and chairman Daniel Levy managed to negotiate a cut-price £30 million deal for Mathys Tel with Joao Palhinha also arriving on loan - but that is the sum of their activity.

Technically, Tottenham have spent £116 million this summer, if you count Kevin Danso's obligation to buy deal, which was agreed in January, but Levy's spending still doesn't even come close to their arch rivals.

We're less than a week away from the start of the new Premier League season and a meagre few days from Spurs' UEFA Super Cup clash against PSG, but Frank's new-look squad is somehow weaker than Ange Postecoglou's.

Son Heung-min's emotional goodbye to LAFC and James Maddison's crippling ACL rupture, adding to Dejan Kulusevski's long-term absence with a knee injury, leaves Frank desperately short of options.

Reinforcing the squad with quality is an absolute non-negotiable if Levy is serious about transforming Spurs into genuine trophy contenders.

They're set to be among the big boys in next season's Champions League draw too - making new signings all the more important before the transfer deadline in under a month.

Fabrizio Romano has suggested that striker Richarlison could leave Tottenham as well, and if that were to be the case, Spurs could become genuine contenders for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson with contact made.

There was another striker on their radar earlier this summer, Brentford star Yoane Wissa - a player Frank knows well from his many years at the Gtech.

Likelihood of Tottenham signing Brentford striker Yoane Wissa

Spurs were in talks for Wissa around the time of their failed move to sign playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest, but precious little has been reported about their interest since then. Now, journalist Graeme Bailey has provided an update to TBR Football.

Bailey reports that Frank "specifically identified" Wissa as a target for Tottenham, and the club held talks with him, but the likelihood of Spurs doing a deal for the 29-year-old is now very unlikely as Newcastle United close in on the £40 million forward.

“Spurs did open talks with Yoane Wissa when Frank first came in," said Bailey. "That was a player Frank specifically identified. But it looks like Wissa’s nailed on for Newcastle now. Frank made it clear from day one that he told Wissa exactly how he wanted to use him, centrally.

“I think Frank also understands the reality. Do you really pay £40 million for a 29-year-old with one year left on his deal? Tottenham are never going to do that. Newcastle look like they will, but there are other reasons behind that move.”

The Congolese bagged 20 goals in all competitions last season, with 19 of them coming in the Premier League, but that £40m could be reinvested into the signing of a proven playmaker - which Frank desperately needs.

Tottenham Hotspur’s record in front of goal last season was somewhat impressive, that’s despite the club ending the 2024/25 Premier League campaign in 17th place.

The Lilywhites netted 64 goals in their 38 outings, the seventh-highest tally of any side in the division, but it was their frailty at the back which saw them finish at the wrong end of the table.

Such a dismal league campaign saw Ange Postecoglou lose his job in North London, subsequently being replaced by Thomas Frank during the off-season.

However, the Dane has made it clear he wants added reinforcements within the final third this summer, ultimately wanting more depth in his quest for success during his tenure.

He’s already sought after numerous top attacking talents, potentially making key moves to help bolster his ranks with the new season rapidly appearing on the horizon.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new attackers this summer

Manchester City star Savinho has emerged as a surprise option over the last couple of days, with the winger potentially a victim of the Citizens’ own recruitment this summer.

He’s been the subject of internal talks at Spurs over a potential move, but no official approach has been made for the Brazilian, who registered 14 combined goals and assists last season.

However, the same can’t be said for another target, with progress being made on a deal to sign Harvey Elliott, according to FootballTransfers' latest report.

They claim that Frank has already held direct talks with the Liverpool forward over a switch to North London between now and the closure of the summer window on September 1st.

It also states that the 22-year-old is allowed to depart Anfield during the off-season, but Arne Slot’s side are currently demanding a fee in the region of £40m for his signature.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be their answer to Palmer

Chelsea star Cole Palmer is a player who has constantly tormented countless backlines in the Premier League over the last few years - but none more so than Spurs.

He’s achieved a 100% win rate in his four games against the Lilywhites, scoring three times and notching three assists - the joint highest tally of contributions he’s managed against a single club.

His latest effort came during the 1-0 win for the Blues at Stamford Bridge, setting up Enzo Fernández for the only goal of the game, adding to his two-goal haul in the reverse fixture.

The England international has registered 37 goals and 19 assists for Chelsea in his 70 league outings, with Frank undoubtedly wishing he had his own version of the 23-year-old in his ranks.

However, that could be about to change this summer with a move for Elliott, potentially following Palmer’s route that has catapulted him to stardom in recent times.

A deal for the Liverpool talent would be reminiscent of that of the Blues star who joined the club from Manchester City after being limited to minutes off the substitutes' bench.

Whilst he struggled for league starts under Slot last season, only being in the starting 11 twice, he managed to be labelled as a similar player to Palmer by FBref - even bettering him in numerous key areas.

Elliott, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by one analyst, posted a higher goal per shot on target rate in 2024/25, arguably possessing more of a threat when beating down on goal - adding that firepower Frank craves this window.

He also managed to register more progressive passes per 90, along with a higher tally of passes into the final third - able to provide the creativity needed for the attackers around him in North London.

The youngster’s dominance over Palmer is further highlighted by his carries into the opposition’s area per 90, having the talent to get the ball into dangerous areas more often, subsequently making him a huge threat to defenders who try to apprehend him.

At just £40m, it could be a deal that proves to be a bargain for the Lilywhites if he can replicate the stats he’s produced with limited game time on Merseyside.

If he can follow the trajectory that Palmer has been on since making the move to the capital, it could be an excellent piece of business that would add further quality to the Lilywhites’ already threatening attacking department.