There was an expectation that Tottenham would bolster their squad on Deadline Day, with a decimated attack in need of surgery.
Spurs wisely opted to sell Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace at the start of the window, but subsequently lost Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison to significant injuries. That has limited Thomas Frank's options in recent weeks, with Djed Spence even getting a run-out as the nominal left-winger during the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.
A couple of names floated around the rumour mill abyss as potentials, with Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche, who garnered plenty of attention in the summer, the one most supporters wanted.
However, it's since become known that Spurs were actually more likely to sign an alternative option late in the window, but refused to be tempted.
Tottenham could've signed Jhon Durán on Deadline Day
Jhon Durán was the talk of the January transfer window last year, having enjoyed a prolific start to the 2024/25 season while playing second fiddle to Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa. His rather limited role under Unai Emery prompted him to push for a move, but instead of remaining in Europe's premier divisions, the young Colombian striker ventured to the Saudi Pro League.
His connection with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr lasted just a few months, as the striker was loaned out to Fenerbahçe for the 2025/26 campaign. In January, there was talk of a swift return to one of the continent's elite.
Tottenham, Europe's fourth-best team by my reckoning (tables don't lie), were among those thrust into the Durán discussion, given their needs. However, as sporting director Johan Lange alluded to in his transfer window post-mortem, Spurs remained "disciplined" in the market.
Fabrizio Romano (via Tottenham Tiers) reported after the deadline that we were "offered the chance" to sign Durán on loan but turned the opportunity down. After rebuffing Juventus, Spurs are placing their faith in Randal Kolo Muani, who's enjoyed a mini upsurge in recent outings.
For me, that was the right call. We absolutely should've added even short-term cover to our attack, and Durán is certainly talented, but signing an out-and-out centre-forward for six months didn't make much sense. Dominic Solanke's back and firing, and Richarlison, as plagued by injury as he is, will be back in March. Frank then has four possible options up top, if you include Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel.
We needed a different profile out wide, but, as Lange hinted, that player didn't become available. Perhaps that's true, or, the more likely scenario: those running the show didn't make it happen.