FootballFanCast

Tottenham are set to be very active in this final stretch of the window, and we can expect talks for attacking targets to intensify quickly after they were robbed of a deal for Eberechi Eze by north London rivals Arsenal.

The Lilywhites thought they were closing in on Eze, then Arsenal moved, and everything changed.

Spurs were deep in talks with Crystal Palace, seemingly on the brink of agreeing a deal for their star number 10.

However, Arsenal reignited their long-standing interest almost immediately after losing Kai Havertz to injury - seizing the initiative and agreeing a deal worth £60 million upfront, plus £7.5 million in add-ons.

Despite Tottenham agreeing both personal terms and a deal in principle with Palace, the final decision rested with Eze, and he chose a move to the Emirates.

"Arsenal came in late this afternoon - also agreeing to Palace's terms - and the player chose Arsenal due to his connection to them," said the reliable Alasdair Gold on X.

"Another number 10 lost when Spurs thought it was done. Not a good look spending so long on a deal only for another club to get him within a day."

The 27-year-old grew up a Gunners fan, trained in their academy as a youth, and Mikel Arteta’s side needed fresh attacking flair amid Havertz's fresh knee problem. Arsenal have been targeting Eze all summer, but Havertz inadvertently pushed them into action whilst breaking Spurs' hearts in the process.

Now Spurs are left scrambling for different options to plug the creative voids left in their squad - made worse by Son Heung-min's departure and James Maddison’s long-term ACL injury.

In just a few hours, the tag-team of Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta snatched the deal from under Daniel Levy's nose. From nearly finalized by Tottenham to firmly Arsenal’s - this one will sting in N17 for some time.

Levy and Thomas Frank will be desperate to put the saga behind them whilst making a serious statement of intent, and they've been linked with a few intriguing attacking options in the aftermath of their botched Eze deal.

Tottenham are still trying to loosen Man City's grip on Savinho, but another option is still there in the form of Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

Tottenham could be close to agreeing loan deal for Rodrygo

According to Defensa Central, the Brazilian is not in Xabi Alonso's plans, and his pool of suitors is running thin.

As things stand, Spurs are the most realistic destination for him, and their eagerness to offload him has resulted in Bernabeu chiefs softening their stance when it comes to his £86 million price tag.

So much so, in fact, that Real are now prepared to green-light an initial loan for Rodrygo, something that is enticing Tottenham as Levy maintains an interest in the 24-year-old.

As per Defensa, this means that Tottenham "could be close" to reaching an agreement for Rodrygo, as they're also ready to cover the player's entire £208,000-per-week salary.

The only roadblock is apparently whether Levy will agree to include a buy-option/obligation, as Florentino Perez would ideally like his price tag paid in full, but could be forced to wait until 2026.

Rodrygo, for his part, has decided to leave Real in pursuit of more game time, and while not explicitly stated, the prospect of a Premier League move could well tempt him.

Tottenham Hotspur was once the home to numerous world-class forwards, but Thomas Frank won’t be able to call upon any of the former talents previously at the club.

Harry Kane will be remembered as one of the best attackers in the Lilywhites’ history, registering 280 goals during his spell in the first team, sitting at the top of their record goalscoring charts.

Gareth Bale was another talent who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his own spell in North London, producing numerous moments of magic that led to him scoring 72 times in over 200 outings.

Whilst both players brought in huge profits, leaving for a combined £168m, it has left the first-team with a lack of attacking quality over various stints in recent campaigns.

Frank will want to rectify such problems before the end of the summer window, with the Dane overseeing continuous work during the past few weeks.

Spurs’ hunt to land an Eze alternative this summer

Eberechi Eze has been one of the key targets for Spurs this summer, with their pursuit of the Englishman dragging out for the majority of the window.

However, despite agreeing a deal with Crystal Palace and the player himself, he won’t be moving to join the Lilywhites - subsequently accepting a proposal from Arsenal, with a medical planned for this weekend.

Missing out on such a talent will be a huge disappointment to the supporters, but the hierarchy have already moved on to other targets, in the form of Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the Lilywhites hierarchy made an approach to Unai Emery’s side over the last couple of days to understand further conditions around any move.

He also stated that a deal could be unlikely this window, especially considering his current outfit don’t want to sell him, but an £80m price tag has previously been mooted for his signature.

Why Spurs’ £80m target would be a better signing than Eze

James Maddison’s injury and Heung-min Son’s departure to join LAFC have left huge holes in the number ten and left-wing positions, something which Eze would’ve solved.

The 27-year-old often featured in both of the aforementioned roles at Selhurst Park last season, ending the 2024/25 Premier League campaign with 16 combined goals and assists.

He also scored the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, helping the Eagles claim their first ever major trophy - leading to major interest from Frank’s side.

However, given his pending move to join the Gunners, Eze will always remain a case of what could’ve been after being strongly linked with Frank’s side during the summer window.

Despite missing out on the attacker’s signature, the hierarchy can’t rest on their laurels, needing to act quickly to secure an alternative - something which they’ve evidently done by plotting a deal for Rogers.

He would be a more expensive addition for the hierarchy, but one that can still develop further in the years ahead, with the former Manchester City youngster just 23 years old.

When comparing his stats to those of Eze from last season, the Villa star managed more combined goals and assists, but also notched numerous higher tallies with his underlying figures.

Rogers, who’s been labelled “sensational” by Eduardo Hagn, completed more passes into the final third and the opposition area per 90 - having the creative ability to provide others around him with constant opportunities.

He also notched more progressive carries per 90 and more carries into the opposition third, able to drive forward into dangerous areas - having the tools to set up a teammate or even find the net himself.

His ability to produce an end product is evident by his higher tally of goal contributions, but also achieving a higher shot on target accuracy rate in the Premier League throughout 2024/25.

Seeing Eze pulling on the red of Arsenal will be a painful sight for Spurs supporters, especially considering the huge hunt for his signature in recent months.

A deal for Rogers will definitely soften the blow, potentially being a blessing in disguise, with the Lilywhites able to land a bigger talent should they complete a deal for the Villa sensation.

Tottenham have thrusted themselves back into the market for a new playmaker, aiming to put their Eberechi Eze disaster behind them.

Spurs' transfer plans were dealt a brutal blow after losing out on Eze in midweek, with Arsenal swooping in to hijack their deal on Wednesday night.

Daniel Levy earmarked the Crystal Palace star as their next marquee summer signing, a creative spark to soften the loss of Son Heung-min and cover for James Maddison’s devastating ACL injury. But just when it seemed they were in pole position, Arsenal made their move.

The Gunners opened talks with Palace and quickly accelerated negotiations. Eze, who bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, agreed to the switch despite also shaking hands on personal terms with Thomas Frank's side.

"Understand Spurs agreed to Palace's terms today and had agreed terms with Eze. The player was ready to come to Tottenham. Palace hadn't finalised the deal as they wanted him available for tomorrow night's European game," said Alasdair Gold on X.

"Then Arsenal came in late this afternoon - also agreeing to Palace's terms - and the player chose Arsenal due to his connection to them."

For Tottenham, it’s a gut punch. The club had identified Eze as the player to carry the creative burden, particularly after Maddison’s long-term setback left a gaping hole in the number 10 role.

Losing out on him to their north London rivals only rubs more salt in the wound, especially after weeks of groundwork laid behind the scenes.

Spurs are now left scrambling for alternatives, but there’s no hiding the frustration. Eze ticked every box: proven Premier League quality, versatility across the front line, and the confidence to deliver in big moments. His numbers at Palace speak volumes, but it’s his ability to glide past defenders and unlock stubborn backlines that Frank will miss most.

Whoever comes in Eze's stead will be crucial, and there is someone who the Tottenham recruitment team seriously want to sign.

Tottenham think Morgan Rogers is the "perfect" Eberechi Eze alternative

Speaking on his YouTube channel after Eze's move to Arsenal broke, Fabrizio Romano shared that their dream number 10 alternative is Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.

The England winger, valued at around £80 million, bagged a sensational 14 goals and 16 assists in all competitions last term as Unai Emery's key attacking star, and he has real admirers inside Spurs.

Romano says Tottenham view Rogers as the "perfect" candidate for their attacking midfield role, but as things stand, it's an almost impossible deal to pull off.

“They started making some calls today to try to understand the situation for new players to add to their squads," said the reliable journalist.

“One of the dream targets they have at Tottenham internally is Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa, but it is seen as a very difficult deal because Villa don’t want to lose the player.

“People in the industry believe that this deal is almost impossible for Morgan Rogers, but I can tell you Tottenham are thinking about him as a perfect candidate.”

He mentions other candidates in his video, like Southampton's Tyler Dibling, but the prospect of an ambitious late move for Rogers is very tantalising, albeit unlikely.

Tottenham Hotspur fans will undoubtedly be disappointed with their activity in the transfer window over recent days, after missing out on numerous key targets.

Savinho was one player who was firmly in their sights, even making an offer to land the Manchester City star, but it was rejected, with Pep Guardiola’s side refusing to offload the winger.

Eberechi Eze has arguably been the biggest target, previously agreeing personal terms with the player and Crystal Palace, but a move hasn’t been all plain sailing.

North London rivals Arsenal pounced at the 11th hour to hijack the move, which has seen Thomas Frank miss out on a star who would’ve played a key role in the Premier League for the Lilywhites.

The Dane must be wishing he was able to rely on one talent during his maiden year at the helm, with the former player highlighting the excellent work previously done by the hierarchy in the transfer market.

Gareth Bale’s time at Tottenham Hotspur

Back in the summer of 2007, Spurs completed a deal for baby-faced 17-year-old Gareth Bale from Southampton - originally joining the side as an option at left-back.

He struggled to establish himself in his early years in North London, leading to rumours around his future at the club, subsequently being within touching distance of a £2m switch to Nottingham Forest.

However, he would remain at the Lilywhites, with the 2010/11 season a turning point in his time in the capital - shifting further up the field into a forward position, even scoring a hat-trick against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

The Welshman would operate in such a role for the remaining three years at the club, racking up 71 goals in his 237 appearances, including 26 in his final campaign.

He would complete a then world-record £85m transfer to Real Madrid, ending his six-year stint in the Premier League, with the side lacking that quality off the flank since his departure.

Current boss Frank would hugely benefit from a player of his calibre in the present day, potentially landing his own version of the winger in the closing stages of the transfer window.

Spurs targeting their next Bale this summer

The failure to land Savinho and Eze in recent weeks has certainly highlighted the need for work to be conducted rapidly, leading to West Ham star Lucas Paqueta emerging on their radar.

It’s been reported that the Lilywhites are considering a move for the Brazilian before the deadline, after the Hammers dropped his asking price to just £40m.

However, he’s not the only attacker currently on their radar, with Southampton star Tyler Dibling another talent they're preparing a move for, according to Fabrizio Romano.

He claims that the Spurs hierarchy have reached out to Will Still’s side to ask about the conditions over a potential move for the 19-year-old star.

The journalist also states that he’s one of a number of talents in their sights, but key work has already been conducted over a move for the Englishman, who could cost as much as £50m this summer.

Why Spurs’ £70m target would be Frank’s answer to Bale

After taking the reins during the off-season, new boss Frank would’ve been hoping that owner Daniel Levy backed him in the transfer market to build on the club’s Europa League success.

To date, Joao Palhinha has joined the Lilywhites on loan from Bayern Munich, whilst Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel are the only permanent additions - seeing around £85m forked out for the pair’s signatures.

Whilst moves have been made, they’ve so far been to no avail, leading to questions being asked about the owner’s lack of spending during the summer transfer window.

With just 11 days remaining until the market closes, key work will have to be rapidly made on potential deals in the final third, with forward-minded signings desperately needed to satisfy Frank’s demands upon his arrival.

Whilst it would be an expensive addition to land Dibling, it would be one that could end their pursuit for his summer, also landing a player who can develop into a world-beater, given his tender age.

It would see the youngster follow in the footsteps of Bale, joining the Lilywhites as a teenager, having the chance to emulate the Welshman should he make the big-money move to North London.

Dibling, who has been labelled “world-class” by Southampton academy manager Andy Goldie, ranked in the 87th percentile for successful take-ons last season (2.2) - highlighting the threat he carries with the ball at his feet.

Such an asset is what made Bale such a hit with the fans in North London, with Dibling needing to add an end product to his mazy runs, but that’s something which will come with experience in his career.

The teenager’s talents were further reflected in his tally of 2.4 carries into the final third per 90, with the winger evidently wanting to get the ball into dangerous territory as often as possible.

The aforementioned numbers have caused havoc for opposition defenders, often having to result to fouling Dibling to prevent him from creating carnage within attacking areas - as seen by his tally of 2.4 fouls won per 90.

Whilst driving forward with the ball is undoubtedly one of the Saints star’s biggest assets, he’s also able to pick out a teammate - allowing the likes of Kudus to further impress should he be on the receiving end of his 3.1 progressive passes per 90.

Undoubtedly, the price tag will concern a lot of supporters, but ultimately, it’s the price that has to be forked out for young English talents in the modern market.

There’s no taking away the quality he possesses, having the tools to develop further under Frank’s guidance - potentially emulating the success of Bale in any move to join the Lilywhites.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank unceremoniously missed out on his second playmaker of the summer on Wednesday evening, so he is in dire need of some good news when it comes to recruitment.

Despite Spurs' very advanced talks for Eberechi Eze, Arsenal swooped in to hijack Daniel Levy's negotiations after Kai Havertz's injury, and they swiftly shook hands on a deal with Palace overnight.

Tottenham were believed to have a verbal pact in place with Palace and agreed personal terms with Eze, so it looked like a matter of time before the north Londoners welcomed him to N17.

However, the decision ultimately came down to Eze, as both Spurs and Arsenal were prepared to meet Palace's demands at club level.

The England international chose Arsenal due to his long-standing connection with them through his boyhood academy years at the club (Alasdair Gold), with Frank and Levy now back to square one in their pursuit of a number 10.

They've been in this position before this summer, with Morgan Gibbs-White also failing to seal what was once a very advanced move to Tottenham after Nottingham Forest blocked the deal.

With Spurs' mission to sign a James Maddison replacement now set to continue with just 12 days to go until the transfer deadline on September 1, the Lilywhites also have other positions they need to reinforce.

Frank believes that Tottenham actually need two number 10s after Maddison's long-term injury, but whether the Dane gets his wish is another matter.

Elsewhere, it is reliably reported that Spurs also want to sign a new winger and centre-back (Michael Bridge).

Brentford captain Nathan Collins and Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie are among Tottenham's defensive targets, while Man City winger Savinho is still being chased by Spurs despite Pep Guardiola's side blocking the deal as of now (Fabrizio Romano).

Believe it or not, Brentford striker Yoane Wissa may also remain a possibility too.

Brentford "want to sell" Yoane Wissa to Tottenham as they delay Newcastle deal

According to The Mail's Craig Hope, there is a feeling behind-the-scenes that the Bees are delaying their deal with Newcastle, having just rejected a second bid for the Congolese, because Brentford "want to sell" Wissa to Tottenham instead - due to their relationship with Frank.

The Dane would also be keen on signing his ex-star. However, any move for Wissa is dependent on revitalised centre-forward Richarlison leaving and a club meeting his minimum £50m valuation.

The Brazilian was actually offered as a makeweight in talks for Eze, as per this report, but that now won't be happening.

Perhaps if they can offer out Richarlison in part-exchange for another playmaker, the door could reopen for Wissa, but for now, the 29-year-old has his "heart set" on a move to St. James' Park.

He would be an excellent replacement for Richarlison, scoring 19 goals in the Premier League last season and earning plenty of praise from Frank in the past.

Tottenham were dealt a hammer blow on Wednesday evening, after Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze pulled a seismic Spurs transfer U-turn.

Eze was all set to join Thomas Frank, agreeing personal terms, and Tottenham also struck a deal in principle with Palace.

It seemed a matter of when, not if, Eze would become Spurs' third major signing of the window after Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, but alas, Arsenal swooped in dramatically to break Daniel Levy's heart.

After midweek talks, Arsenal immediately signed a replacement for the injured Kai Havertz by hijacking Tottenham's once-imminent deal for the England international, with Frank and Levy now forced to re-enter the market for a new playmaker once again.

This isn't the first transfer humiliation Spurs have suffered this window, either, with Morgan Gibbs-White's move to N17 also falling through earlier this summer after Nottingham Forest blocked the deal, threatened legal action and convinced the 25-year-old to pen a new deal.

It is getting slightly embarrassing from Levy's perspective, and Tottenham need to react strongly amid Frank's glaring need for a new number 10 and a stand-in for James Maddison, who'll miss most of 2025/2026 after rupturing his ACL.

A host of attacking midfielders are being linked with moves to north London in the aftermath of their Eze loss, including the likes of Como starlet Nico Paz, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Southampton's Tyler Dibling.

It is worth noting that Tottenham are believed to be very interested in Liverpool sensation Harvey Elliott, so a potential move could still be on the cards after Eze chose Arsenal ahead of Spurs, but RB Leipzig are reportedly preparing a bid, so Levy will have to act quickly.

Tottenham ready £69m offer for Savinho with London talks ongoing

Some better news for the Lilywhites comes from Globo Esporte and journalist Cahê Mota.

According to their information, in response to losing Eze, Tottenham intend to seriously push for Man City winger Savinho, and are vowing to "spare no effort" behind-the-scenes.

They could go all the way to deadline day if necessary, and despite City's resistance so far, Tottenham are believed to be readying a £69 million bid for Savinho to test their resolve.

The 21-year-old's representatives are also in London right now, attempting to mediate negotiations between the Sky Blues and Spurs, with Savinho keen on a move down south for more game time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Savinho can actually play in the number 10 role, as he did on two occasions for Pep Guardiola last season. He ended 24/25 with 13 assists in all competitions, with Guardiola praising his work rate and "incredible" attacking ability.

“He has an incredible ability and quality he’s proven in that period," said Guardiola.

“He arrived in the six months when the team isn’t in the best moment than maybe he expected, compared with the past. He makes one action fine, second fine, third miss it, four mistake, five mistake, the sixth try again and try again and try again. And until the end he tries.

“Defensively he’s not incredible in the one v one, but his work rate is impressive and he’s so aggressive on both sides.

“He’s had a lot of chances but the moment you score one or two, you’ll score a lot. I’m really pleased for him for the game, the goal, the assist for Erling. On the left he can make those crosses, the game he played was really good.”

The Brazil international was also a key member of Michel's Girona side that surprised everyone by challenging for a La Liga title in 2023/2024.

It was yet another humbling day to be a Tottenham supporter on Wednesday, after news emerged that their deal for Eberechi Eze is now off.

After days of back and forth, including direct talks between Daniel Levy and Steve Parish (Fabrizio Romano), it was believed that Spurs reached a verbal agreement with Palace over all the finances involved to sign Eze.

The 27-year-old also agreed personal terms on a move to N17, so it looked merely a matter of time before Eze was hoisting a Lilywhites jersey aloft in front of the media as Tottenham's third major signing of the window.

However, following a stunning mid-week twist, all hopes of Thomas Frank bringing in the world-class number 10 have been shattered.

Kai Havertz's injury prompted north London rivals Arsenal to swiftly enter the race for Eze.

The Gunners hijacked Spurs' advanced move for the England international by equalling Levy's offer to Palace, with Eze ultimately choosing Arsenal as his preferred destination - largely due to his connection to them.

"What a mess. Understand Spurs agreed to Palace's terms today and had agreed terms with Eze. The player was ready to come to Tottenham. Palace hadn't finalised the deal as they wanted him available for tomorrow night's European game," said Alasdair Gold on X.

"Then Arsenal came in late this afternoon - also agreeing to Palace's terms - and the player chose Arsenal due to his connection to them. Another number 10 lost when Spurs thought it was done. Not a good look spending so long on a deal only for another club to get him within a day."

With a move for the ex-QPR star off the table, in what is a disastrous blow for Frank, Spurs are now forced to re-enter the market for a number 10.

This is Levy's second public transfer humiliation of the window after also missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this summer, despite even booking a medical for the Nottingham Forest playmaker.

Savinho wants to join Tottenham amid Thomas Frank plan

Away from their nightmare mission to sign a James Maddison replacement - which has gone back to square one again - Tottenham haven't given up on a deal for Man City winger Savinho, even if Pep Guardiola's side are blocking the move right now.

As the Sky Blues demand £67 million to even consider letting him leave, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Savinho would like to go to Tottenham, as Frank wishes to make him one of the faces of his project down south.

"There is someone specific, very important, at Manchester City blocking the deal for Savinho to Tottenham. The player is keen on a move to Tottenham, but the player is not breaking his relationship with Manchester City," said Romano on his YouTube channel earlier this week.

“So the player is kind of positioned like, okay, if I can go to Tottenham, I’m happy, because Thomas Frank wants to make him one of the faces of the project, because he could play on a regular basis. So, Savinho would like to go to Tottenham.”

The 21-year-old has been called an "elite ball carrier" by members of the media, and bagged 13 assists in all competitions for City last season after also being a key member of the Girona side who briefly challenged for a La Liga title in 23/24.

It would be a statement of intent for Levy to go all in on signing the Brazil international after misisng out on Eze, and with little over a week before the deadline, Spurs need to move quickly.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was about to be backed with the signing of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, but Arsenal have now thrown a major spanner in the works by sensationally hijacking the deal overnight.

Eze had agreed personal terms over a move to Spurs, and earlier this week, reliable media sources were reporting that Tottenham verbally agreed the finances of a deal with Palace too.

An agreement in principle was reached to sign the 27-year-old (Ben Jacobs), but in a shock twist, Arsenal burst back into the race for Eze.

After losing Kai Havertz to injury, Spurs' rivals swiftly moved to strike a full verbal agreement of their own on Wednesday evening, and despite Frank's side doing the same thing days earlier, Eze is now set to join Arsenal instead as he ultimately prefers a move to N5.

There were warning signs that a Tottenham deal for Eze was far from complete, with Sky journalist Kaveh Solhekol previously telling supporters that his signing was no guarantee.

"The deal is not going to be agreed until Palace get what they want from the deal," said Solhekol earlier this week.

"They also need to line up a replacement, because he's such an important player for them. The interesting thing, of course, is that Palace have got this important European play-off game on Thursday night against Frederikstad.

"Will he be involved in that game, or will the deal with Spurs be done so quickly that he may be involved with Spurs against Manchester City? I think we're getting a little bit ahead of ourselves."

News of Eze's rejection comes as a hammer blow for Frank, with Tottenham now forced to dip back into the market for a new number 10 yet again this summer after missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White earlier in the window.

Away from their disastrous search for a playmaker, it is believed that the north Londoners are also after a new winger and a centre-back.

Son Heung-min bid goodbye to Spurs after 10 years recently, departing for LAFC in the MLS, and this has left a seismic gap in quality where the South Korean megastar once was.

Dejan Kulusevski also remains out injured with a serious knee injury, prompting Tottenham to scour for a forward who can provide the same level of threat as the Swede and Son.

Tottenham have held talks with Man City over a deal for Savinho, including rejected bids, but as things stand, City are apparently blocking the move (Fabrizio Romano) - forcing Frank's side to look at alternatives - even if they reportedly haven't given up just yet.

Thomas Frank wants Tottenham to sign Nathan Collins after Eberechi Eze

In terms of their search for a defender, amid Radu Dragusin's lengthy lay-off, Brentford captain Nathan Collins is becoming a more serious target.

According to CaughtOffside, Frank is keen to work with Collins again at Tottenham, and the club are expected to make imminent contact over a deal.

The site adds that we can expect movement on this shortly, with Spurs standing out as the most likely destination for him if Keith Andrews' side decide to sell after what has already been a very difficult summer.

With Frank and co stepping up their efforts to tempt the Irishman, it is worth noting that the 24-year-old, who was signed from Wolves two years ago for just £23m, has been lavished with praise for his mentality.

Tottenham Hotspur’s ambitions of rising up the Premier League in 2025/26 have now fallen into the hands of Thomas Frank, after the Dane was selected as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement.

The 51-year-old has already made the perfect start to the new league campaign, winning their first outing against Burnley, needing to build on such a result in their hunt for success.

However, if the new manager is to be a success in North London, he will need investment from the hierarchy to secure key depth and quality in key areas of the pitch.

£85m has already been spent by owner Daniel Levy, but with less than two weeks left in the window, added reinforcements are still desperately needed in various areas of the pitch.

The number ten position and another deep-lying option are also being considered by the club ahead of the transfer window slamming shut on September 1st.

Spurs making move for another midfield star

In recent days, Eberechi Eze looked to have edged ever closer to completing his own move to join Spurs, with the player himself stating his desire to join Frank’s side this summer.

That has been followed by the bombshell news that rivals Arsenal have now hijacked the transfer, with the Englishman instead said to be leaning toward joining the Gunners instead, as per David Ornstein on X.

Thankfully, he’s not the only midfielder currently in the hierarchy’s sights - resulting in Barcelona star Marc Casado emerging as another option for the club, according to Spanish outlet Sport via Sport Witness.

They claim that the Lilywhites have made an approach for the 21-year-old Spaniard, but are waiting for approval from the LaLiga side before pushing through with a deal.

The report also states that Chelsea have previously shown interest in his services, but the Lilywhites remain present in a deal, leading to a €30m (£25m) price tag currently being mooted.

Why Casado is as talented as Eze

It’s undeniable that the potential deal for Eze generated huge excitement among the fanbase in recent days - with the hope of offering Frank’s side needed quality and versatility needed within the final.

The fact that the England international can operate behind the striker, or even off the left-hand side, would have solved two of the current problems within the current first-team squad.

His tally of 16 combined goals and assists in his 34 outings, the joint-most of any Spurs player in 2024/25, would hand any suitors added creativity and goal threat - something which Frank has been hunting for all window long.

However, there’s only so much the 27-year-old would be able to achieve on his own in any case, and in Casado, they could find a player who is undoubtedly just as talented, especially if the youngster can replicate the numbers he produced from his most recent season in Spain’s top-flight.

His tally of six assists in his 36 outings showcases his ability to provide chances for players around him - just as Eze has done in a Palace jersey - but his underlying metrics are just as impressive, posting numbers that are way beyond his youthful years.

Casado, who’s been dubbed “spectacular” by former Barça star and one of the best midfielders ever, Sergio Busquets, ranked in the 94th percentile for passes into the final third (7.7) - showcasing his ability to get the ball into attacking areas.

Further talents on the ball are also reflected in his 44% take-on success rate and 89% pass completion - figures that would benefit the midfield colleagues ahead of him.

However, in his deep-lying position, the youngster will also be required to regain possession for the Lilywhites, something which shouldn’t be an issue if he can replicate his tally of 1.8 tackles per 90.

The combination of all the aforementioned stats could arguably make Casado the perfect ball-winner and playmaker at the heart of Frank’s side - adding a new dimension to the club in the process.

If he can put both skills together with the Lilywhites, he will have all the tools to be a huge success, with the £25m transfer fee potentially a bargain.

The prospect of the Spaniard linking up with Eze would have been one for the fanbase to get excited about, although the signing of the Barca starlet on his own would be enough cause for fanfare.

The attacking midfield position is one that has caused Thomas Frank no end of trouble since taking the reins at Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer.

The Dane made his ambitions of strengthening the position evident early on, after making a £60m move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White back in July.

However, a move fell through for the Englishman’s signature before James Maddison suffered an ACL injury that could rule him out of the majority of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

Such situations have highlighted the need for added depth in the number ten position, with no recognised attacking midfielder currently on the books, with Pape Sarr featuring in the role in the recent clash with Burnley.

That could all be about to change in the coming days, with Frank now making key moves for multiple talents across Europe to add the needed depth required for added success.

Spurs preparing move for an Eze alternative

Their ambitions of improving the squad had seen attention being turned to Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, although things have taken a turn on that front.

He’s been a key target over recent months, but after talks between the sides, it now appears the 27-year-old is edging toward a move to Arsenal instead, as revealed by David Ornstein on X, following a last-gasp hijack from the Gunners.

Other deals may well have to be pursued to land further attacking talents, with Atalanta star Ademola Lookman of interest, according to TBR Football.

The report claims that the Nigerian international has handed in a transfer request at the Serie A side, leading to his intermediaries offering him out to the Lilywhites.

It also states that Frank’s staff have been in talks with the 27-year-old and his representatives over a move, leading to a £40m transfer fee being mooted before the September 1st deadline.

Why Spurs’ £40m target would be a better signing than Eze

Eze has been a shining light in Palace’s success over the last couple of months, notching 25 combined goals and assists for Oliver Glasner’s side throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

Numerous of his efforts popped up in key moments, including in the FA Cup final, helping the Eagles win their first ever major trophy with a 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley.

The figures he produced in the Premier League last season would certainly hand Frank the added quality he’s been craving, whilst also highlighting the backing he has from owner Daniel Levy to help the side reach the next level.

However, a deal for Lookman could prove to be a better addition for the side, offering added quality, but also more experience at the top level of the European game - something which Eze has lacked in his career.

The Nigerian has already made 37 appearances across all European competitions, notching 12 goals - including five in seven Champions League outings last campaign.

Such tallies would be of use given the Lilywhites’ upcoming European adventure, whilst also massively outperforming the Palace star in numerous areas from 2024/25.

Lookman, who’s been labelled “world-class” by commentator Mateo Bonetti, posted more combined goals and assists in league action, whilst also managing a better shot on target accuracy rate.

Such figures would add a needed goal threat to Frank’s side, something which is extremely important for a number ten, alongside their creative ability.

The former Everton star also managed to impress in chance creation, making more key passes and passes into the opposition box per 90, able to provide those ahead of him with crucial chances in front of goal.

Lookman’s dominance over Eze is further highlighted in his higher tallies of carries into the 18-yard box per 90, able to manoeuvre himself into dangerous positions.

Getting into threatening areas is one thing, but the Nigerian has showcased with his shooting stats that he has the ability to find the net himself - or even tee up a teammate if needed.

Both players would be excellent additions to the Lilywhites squad, offering key quality and depth in pivotal areas of the pitch - something which has been lacking in the early stages of 2025/26.

However, there’s no denying that the Atalanta star would be a better addition, not to mention a cheaper one too, given the £20m difference in their current asking prices.