The best players Tottenham didn't sign in the January transfer window

There had been hope that perhaps this time, this transfer window would be different.

Supporters were sold a dream over a newfound ambition from the newlook board, supposedly ready to let loose after years of shrewd Daniel Levy frugality.

Entering the January market, it was clear that Thomas Frank's squad needed upgrading. When Brennan Johnson was wisely sold for £35m, Frank needed a replacement in attack. When Mohammed Kudus succumbed to a significant injury almost immediately after, Frank needed two replacements in attack.

In addition to a midfield passer and depth on the left-hand side of our defence, Spurs' winter priorities were distinct. So, what did we end up with? Am energetic midfield runner, and a 19-year-old Brazilian left-back. Okay, not great. The attack, Vinai? What about the attack? God, Johan, tell me you helped your compatriot out just a little bit?

"We did try," the hierarchy reply in unison.

Here are five of the best players Spurs supposedly tried but failed to sign in the January transfer window.

Antoine Semenyo

In the words of Thomas Frank, the club did "everything" to sign Antoine Semenyo in January. Spurs, though, were never likely to win the race for the Bournemouth winger, who had a long list of clubs on his tail.

Semenyo was arguably the Premier League's standout performer during the first half of the season, and it became no secret that the Ghanaian would leave the Cherries in the recently closed window after his £64m release clause became public knowledge.

An array of clubs, including Spurs, were willing to trigger it, but Semenyo opted for Manchester City. He thought it'd be nice to offer a parting gift to the Vitality by scoring a late winner against Frank's side, and in his first appearance for City against the Lilywhites, Semenyo found the back of the net again in Sunday's 2-2 draw.

An all-Ghanaian wing pairing would've been quite the sight in N17. Alas.

Yan Diomande

Yan Diomande is the latest Bundesliga starlet that one of Europe's elite will eventually pay a silly amount for, probably after the 2026 World Cup.

Bayern Munich once had a hold over the division's brightest stars, but the financial might of the Premier League means that grip has loosened in recent years. It wouldn't be inconceivable for Diomande to pick Spurs, if they were in a better position, over Bayern in this current climate.

The Lilywhites never made a serious push for the young Ivorian but their interest was noted. RB Leipzig's lofty €100m asking price rendered any deal in January impossible, and they'll surely attempt again to secure a record sale for their teenage dribbling sensation this summer.

Andy Robertson

The long-time Liverpool left-back looked for all money to be Tottenham's third signing of the window.

We reportedly had a deal agreed in principle with the Reds, which would see Robertson bid farewell to Anfield during their final Champions League game of the league phase at the end of January.

While João Souza was on his way to provide cover at left-back, Robertson was set to supply this squad with the intangibles. He's a two-time Premier League champion with bucket loads of experience, and his legs aren't completely gone yet, either.

Factions of supporters weren't convinced, and they were pleased when the deal hit a snag. Liverpool seemingly thought they'd be able to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan, but Roma's inability to secure a replacement meant the Greek stayed put. Liverpool suddenly became uncomfortable with sanctioning the move, and Robertson remains on Merseyside.

It may be one we revisit in the summer, with the 31-year-old's contract expiring at the end of the season.

Maghnes Akliouche

Frank suggested that Spurs would be in the market for players on Deadline Day, and those online were particularly bullish over the idea of Maghnes Akliouche joining late in the window.

The Monaco starlet was on our radar in the summer before we signed Xavi Simons, and our interest was seemingly reignited this winter, given our current injury situation.

Akliouche is a silky operator, but perhaps not the playmaker we desperately need to ensure our frontline boasts a variety of profiles, especially with Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski hopefully returning before the end of the season. I'd have preferred either Semenyo or Savinho.

Thus, I wasn't gutted when the move for the Frenchman didn't materialise, as exciting as some late drama would've been.

Curtis Jones

I'd have probably been okay with the absence of fresh faces in attack had we been able to pull this off.

With Curtis Jones' contract expiring in 18 months, transfer talk started to emerge in January. Spurs reportedly made enquiries around the time when we were exploring a deal for Robertson, and the club should've been far more aggressive in their pursuit of Liverpool's midfielder.

A press-resistant passer in the engine room is exactly what this squad is crying out for. Jones isn't universally appreciated up at Anfield, but he's the sort of player who'd help transform Frank's team from a stodgy mess into a free-flowing Harlem Globetrotters-like outfit.

Okay, maybe I'm getting a bit carried away, but I do really like Jones. Inter wanted him, too, and Beppe Marotta doesn't tend to make many mistakes in the transfer market. Ultimately, though, the England international never came close to joining the Lilywhites, and Liverpool blocked his move to Inter later in the window.

We have to test the waters again at the next opportunity.