The signals from ENIC in a post-Daniel Levy landscape point towards newfound ambition in N17, but the majority of supporters will gauge the extent of the hierarchy's aspirations from their work in the transfer market.
The summer window was an impactful one for Tottenham, even if a few gaping holes weren't filled. Fortunately, opportunities to improve via external additions come around every few months, and Spurs are expected to conduct further business this winter.
Thomas Frank could do with more depth on the left side of his defence and a more able passer in midfield, but the most pressing need is arguably greater quality in attack. Spurs aren't exactly shy of bodies despite the spate of injuries at the start of the new manager's reign, but the majority believe our current options can and should be upgraded upon.
And perhaps the club will opt for a bold pursuit this winter in a bid to land another statement arrival.
Spurs reportedly willing to match Real Madrid's asking price for Rodrygo
There were only tenuous links to Real Madrid's Rodrygo in the summer, but the Brazilian is bound to be one of the protagonists of the January transfer window.
Rodrygo remained in Madrid in the hope that his minutes would increase under new manager Xabi Alonso, but the Spaniard has so far handed the winger no more than a sporadic role. At the November international break, Rodrygo has started just three games in all competitions, and the rumour mills are starting to churn once more.
Mundo Deportivo and Fichajes (via BBC Sport) are among the Spanish media outlets to link Rodrygo with a move to Tottenham. The latter writes that Spurs are willing to match Madrid's £70m asking price.
The winger has fallen out of favour in the Spanish capital this calendar year, but he's the sort of profile this Spurs team needs. Imagine Wilson Odobert with an extra layer or three. Rodrygo is a supreme technician who operates ever so smoothly with the ball at his feet, and is capable of beating his marker one-on-one via brains and brawn.
He boasts a vintage samba repertoire and the requisite burst of acceleration to keep any defender honest. In pretty much any other team in world football, Rodrygo would be the superstar.
🚨❌ New rumours linking Tottenham Hotspur with #Rodrygo are still wide of the mark.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) November 12, 2025
A deal would also not be feasible mainly because of his salary. #THFC
A move in January remains possible, though. The market is being explored. His contract at Real Madrid runs until 2028.… pic.twitter.com/DPXugYTwxw
However, I'm not going to wax too much lyrical because, well, it's just not going to happen, is it? Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg has already put a dampener on things, reporting that the rumours from Spain are "wide of the mark". The player's salary is the big issue, with Capology listing his wage at £276,000 a week.
That would, of course, make Rodrygo Spurs' highest earner by a considerable margin. However, those who are desperate to see a shift in approach from those up top would argue that it's the sort of financial gamble the club must take to bridge the gap with the Premier League's best and help realise the supposed newfound ambition of ENIC.