A midfield refresh is of paramount importance for Tottenham this month, especially after we learned the full extent of Rodrigo Bentancur's latest fitness setback.
Spurs are in a precarious position. The majority are unconvinced by Thomas Frank's capacity to lead the club into a prosperous new dawn, and failure to beat West Ham United this weekend will surely spark the hierarchy into action.
Thus, buying players for the incumbent's dreary project seems illogical. However, it's become clear that no matter who's in the dugout, this Lilywhite outfit requires a particular profile in the middle of the pitch.
In Conor Gallagher, a signing that's divided the fanbase, Spurs aren't getting that. In fact, the Englishman is pretty similar to what we've got in the engine room. That doesn't render Gallagher a bad footballer, just one we aren't crying out for.
The currently absent midfield passer must be signed in addition to Gallagher if Spurs are to enjoy an uptick in form during the second half of the season. Worryingly, though, the club continue to be linked with alternative profiles. One of which, a familiar face, has turned us down.
Lucas Paquetá chooses homecoming over Tottenham switch
#Tottenham were keen on signing Lucas Paqueta but the West Ham midfielder has made it clear his preference is a move back to Brazil.
— Tottenham Tiers (@TottenhamTiers) January 12, 2026
[@ExWHUEmployee] 🥇 pic.twitter.com/3gg5hmIEwF
Before news of our swoop for Atlético Madrid's Gallagher broke, West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee (via Tottenham Tiers on X) reported that Lucas Paquetá was on Tottenham's radar, but he'd made it clear that he prefers a return to his homeland.
Now, former club Flamengo, boosted by the prize money they earned at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, are aiming to complete a deal. They've already agreed personal terms with the player, but their first proposal, supposedly worth €40m, was rejected by the Hammers. Still, it seems inevitable that Paquetá will be returning home this month.
Spurs were interested in the controversial Brazilian international in the summer amid our panicked swoop to sign a playmaker in the aftermath of the Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze debacles. Aston Villa made a stronger push, and Paquetá made it clear after scoring in a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest that he'd be staying in east London.
By then, Xavi Simons was already through the door in N17.
And while a move for the West Ham man isn't happening this month, our continued interest further points towards confused squad planning. Paquetá is a gifted footballer whose career with the Hammers was disrupted by a match-fixing scandal, but the Brazilian isn't the metronomic type we require in midfield.