Tottenham are preparing for a 2025/26 season without James Maddison.
The English playmaker, who returned from a knee injury at the start of pre-season, looks set for a prolonged period on the sidelines with an even more significant setback. The signs are pointing towards a torn ACL, with Maddison seemingly aware of the severity immediately after the innocuous incident occurred in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle.
As a result, Spurs' transfer priorities may well have shifted during the final few weeks of the window. With Maddison out and Dejan Kulusevski's return not yet in sight, Thomas Frank's need for a new playmaker has suddenly become desperate.
We tried for Morgan Gibbs-White last month, but we all know how that bonkers saga played out. There are alternatives on the market, though, and here are five we must consider after Maddison's injury.
Eberechi Eze
I was convinced that Eze would be a Tottenham player this summer, but our attentions turned to Mohammed Kudus. Arsenal have since emerged as the leading contenders for the Crystal Palace star's signature, but the presence of a release clause has so far prevented the Gunners from striking a deal.
That clause is believed to have now expired, but Arsenal seemingly aren't any closer to bringing Eze to the Emirates despite the player's willingness to join.
I'd forgotten about Eze for a little while, but he's returned to the forefront of my thinking. With Son Heung-min departing, Spurs should ideally target a player capable of providing mitigation out wide and in a No. 10 position. Eze certainly supplies that.
Spurs supporters have long been enamoured by the idea of bringing the chess guru to north London, and a successful pursuit would be even sweeter given that Gooners had come around to Eze donning red and white.
Xavi Simons
Simons was who I wanted the club to target immediately after it became clear Gibbs-White would not be donning our slick black attire under the lights next season.
The Dutchman has been mightily productive in the Bundesliga, primarily operating as RB Leipzig's No. 10. He's a canny playmaker who thrives when handed space to drive into, as Simons is more powerful than his frame would suggest.
He's another who'd raise the technical level of this Tottenham team, with his schooling at La Masia manifesting wherever and whenever he lines up. Simons can function as your vintage trequartista, but he's undoubtedly got the talent to take on greater responsibility in the build-up phase by dropping into deeper positions and functioning more as a metronomic conductor.
The issue for Spurs is that Chelsea are the overwhelming favourites for his signature. A deal's not yet been struck, however.
Jack Grealish
Grealish once felt like a player who'd inevitably end up in N17, and Spurs may feel like this is the time to bring the maverick Englishman in while his stock has slumped.
Grealish's motivation has been called into question since he played a big role in Manchester City's treble-winning campaign two seasons ago, with Pep Guardiola calling upon the low sock-donning playmaker only sporadically last term.
He has struggled with injuries, but it's fair to say that Grealish hasn't set himself up for success at the elite level since City triumphed in Istanbul. Guardiola is keen to get rid this summer. His career has drifted, and Grealish is now at a crossroads.
The 29-year-old needs a new environment, and I'm a believer. His wages are mammoth, and that is an issue, but if we could work this out financially, I think Grealish still has plenty to offer at the highest level. A fit and firing Grealish is the franchise player Thomas Frank's project requires.
"If you don't take risks, you also take risks."
Bilal El Khannouss
There have been tenuous links to the Leicester playmaker this summer, with El Khannouss impressing for the Foxes during a miserable Premier League campaign last season.
Their relegation means Leicester have little hope of demanding a big fee, although I have doubts whether he's capable of stepping up and filling Maddison's creative void right away. The young creator still has plenty to learn.
However, there are similarities to Mikkel Damsgaard, who performed so well as Frank's No. 10 last term. El Khannouss can operate as an efficient linker of defence and attack; a player who boasts the requisite technique in tight spaces to wriggle out of pressure and kick-start transitions. Frank will love his work rate out of possession, too.
He wouldn't be my priority, but I see the appeal.
Harvey Elliott
Get Elliott in the right half-space and let him wreak havoc.
The Liverpool star isn't the most impressive athlete, but he knows how to pick locks in opposing defences. He's a prolific creator from the aforementioned zone, with Elliott's left foot a distinct playmaking weapon. Those at the back post will always be waiting.
He's a tight spaces guy who thrives against deep-lying defences, but his passing ability means he can function effectively in a team that thrive in transition.
Like El Khannouss, Elliott wouldn't be my preferred option because he tends to operate from the zones Kudus will be expected to dazzle from in N17. Supporters are also struggling to take to the 22-year-old for other reasons. They haven't forgotten the Harry Kane mickey-taking.