5 potential strikers for Tottenham’s winter transfer window
Tottenham Hotspur’s 2023-24 season has started off strong. While Ange Postecoglou’s side are unbeaten in their first seven Premier League games, with wins over Manchester United and Liverpool in their pocket.
Tottenham did bring in solid depth this summer window but still lacks another out-and-out striker on the bench. Though there is a lot of hype around Argentine forward Alejo Veliz, the 19-year-old has yet to make his first start.
Richarlison has been finding his feet as Spurs’ center-forward but still struggles with finishing chances. Young strikers like Dane Scarlett and Troy Parrott are honing their skills on loan. To preserve the fitness of Son Heung-Min and add better options off the bench, Spurs could try to purchase a striker when the January transfer window opens.
Here are five potential strikers Tottenham could target.
Jonathan David (Lille)
David has been a rock for Lille ever since he arrived from Genk in 2020. He was part of the Lille team that beat PSG to the Ligue 1 title in 2020-21. In his three seasons in France, David has scored 54 league goals in 118 appearances. He also has 3 Champions League goals in 8 appearances.
The season Lille beat PSG to the title, he netted 13 goals in 37 league appearances. The next season, he hit 15 despite Lille’s downturn in form. Last season the Canadian international tallied his best season, scoring 24 times, including two as a right-winger. Postecoglou certainly values versatility with his forwards, as shown by Brennan Johnson’s arrival.
Spurs were considering David in the summer as Harry Kane’s exit loomed, but no deal transpired. Now worth around 60 million euros and at age 23, he fits the Tottenham youth movement. His pace is definitely one of his standout attributes, and his finishing ability speaks for itself. If Spurs are willing to spend big in winter, David could be in lily white before we know it.
Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Though still suspended by the English FA for his betting violations, Toney remains a name many of the big London clubs are monitoring. His suspension was reduced in May 2023 after he admitted he had a gambling addiction and sought help. It definitely hurt his value, as the English striker was once valued as high as 50 million euros but is closer to 35 million.
The ban is lifted on January 17, 2024, still plenty of time for Spurs to land Toney. The biggest question is whether he can reach the heights he set last season after such a lengthy ban. He was suspended mid-season last year yet still scored 20 and finished 3rd in goals scored in the Premier League, behind Erling Haaland Harry Kane. Toney checks a lot of boxes: homegrown player, clinical finisher, proven PL striker, decent pace, and sturdy physique.
It remains in Brentford’s hands. Toney has been a focal point of Thomas Frank’s Bees, but this season they are faring well with Bryan Mbuemo, Yoane Wissa, and Kevin Schade leading the line. Spurs will also have to stave off competition from their London rivals.
Arsenal and Chelsea are both rumored to be interested in the striker, with The Times reporting Brentford may seek close to 80 million pounds for Toney. Spurs surely would not pay that, but unless Toney returns in fine form, Brentford may have to ask for less if he is not fully reintegrated into the team.
Gift Orban (Genk)
Let’s not forget Gift Orban was linked with Tottenham this summer. Though a deal never materialized, the young Nigerian striker has caught the attention of the Spurs scouting team. The 21-year-old bagged 9 goals in 10 games last season in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. So far, he has scored twice in seven games in the league, but it is the European stage where he has been excellent. In the Conference League, Orban has scored 4 times in 5 outings.
Depending on how Genk and Orban fare this year, Spurs could reignite their interest. Only listed at 20 million euros on Transfermarkt, he will likely run closer to 40 million depending on his performance from now until December. He would be an economical purchase but would be a prospect stepping into a learning role behind Son and Richarlison. Veliz’s arrival also complicates the chances of Orban becoming a 2nd-choice or even a 3rd-choice striker.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Martinez would likely be the most expensive choice, but he would also be the most ready to step into the starting striker role at Tottenham. It would be tough to pry away the Inter Milan man, especially since becoming a critical piece of their attack in 2020. Tottenham has been linked to Martinez before, mostly back in the summer of 2022 when it seemed he would join Spurs for a 77 million pound move.
That was under Antonio Conte, whose Inter won Serie A with Martinez and Romelu Lukaku as the scoring threats in 2020-21. Postecoglou plays a different way, usually with a lone No. 9 and two wide forwards. However, Martinez could definitely adapt to the system, as he does when leading the line for Argentina. He played a big role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, as well as Inter Milan’s run to the Champions League Final last season.
Recently, Martinez came off the bench for Inter and scored four goals in 45 minutes of action. Last season saw him score 21 goals in Italy plus win the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana, where he scored in both finals. At age 26, now is the time to sign Martinez. Inter’s Chinese benefactors have been known to sell star players to raise cash. Whether they would sell such a key player remains to be seen.
Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord)
Feyenoord loves their young Mexican striker, as Gimenez has been flying since moving from Cruz Azul last season. In the first 7 games of the 2023-24 Eredivisie season, he has scored 10 goals, including a hat trick against Ajax in the most recent edition of De Klassikier.
Gimenez is barely two seasons into his Feyernoord career, but the 22-year-old’s prolific scoring touch has certainly attracted attention. His work in helping Feyenoord win the Dutch league with his 15 goals last year was only the beginning of what is shaping up to be a successful European career. At 5 foot 9 inches, he is not the tallest striker, but his finishing ability suggests that is no issue. James Maddison could feed him passes to get in behind the defense and fire in the goals.
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Only valued at 25 million euros and age 22, it seems like a good deal for a player who could seriously blossom into a top striker. Spurs could beat their rivals and other European giants to the Mexican’s signature if they act quickly and more importantly if Feyenoord agrees to sell. More than likely, they ask for much more than 25 million, but anything lower than 50 million will certainly bring Tottenham to the negotiating table.