Surprisingly, Tottenham have signed a grand total of zero Brentford stars for new manager Thomas Frank, who joined Spurs as Ange Postecoglou's replacement this summer with immediate links to star right winger Bryan Mbeumo, striker Yoane Wissa, center back Nathan Collins, and even veteran defensive midfielder Christian Norgaard.
So far, Tottenham have already officially struck out on one of those players - the easiest one of them, funnily enough, as crosstown rivals Arsenal swooped in at the last second to sign the 31-year-old Norgaard, preventing Spurs from inking a much-needed No. 6 to their ranks.
Bryan Mbeumo is the most likely player to officially sign his papers next, as Tottenham have waffled harder than Manchester United, who have still inexplicably yet to sign the right winger to an official transfer despite negotiating for about a month now.
Newcastle are about to skip ahead of Tottenham in the line
Next up on the list down the line is striker Yoane Wissa, who scored 19 goals last season as a talented breakout star in his own right. Tottenham could use another striker to replace Richarlison, whom the club is actively shopping, and to compete with 65 million pound summer 2024 signing Dominic Solanke up top.
But Tottenham have been slow to show concrete interest - let alone submit a real offer - in Wissa. Now, according to a report from The Athletic's ace insider David Ornstein, a Champions League contender have entered the transfer race for Wissa. Per Ornstein, Newcastle are now going after the 28-year-old No. 9 as an alternative to Hugo Ekitike.
It appears Newcastle are ceding their interest in Ekitike so as to not lose Alexander Isak - an even bigger prize at striker - to Liverpool, with the Reds then bagging the Bundesliga star. That could lead Newcastle to signing Wissa as a potential backup or even partner for Isak up top in a two-striker system, as the Magpies have no top option on the right and could yet lose Anthony Gordon to Liverpool as a Luis Diaz replacement.
There are a lot of moving parts here, but they all point to a lethargic Tottenham missing out on a decent striker option, which could leave them with Solanke as the only even remotely established No. 9 in 2025/26, should Richarlison indeed get his walking papers to a club outside Europe's top five (or Everton). Wissa has his flaws and could be someone Spurs balk at if Brentford set too high of a fee, but he has familiarity with Frank and is a good player coming off a season in which he easily outscored all of Tottenham's forwards, including starting striker Solanke.