Sané, Mbeumo, Kalimuendo, Kolo Muani, Gibbs-White, Eze, Savinho, Estéve, Grealish, Leão, Wissa, Paz, Hincapié…. The list of targets Spurs have failed to sign in the last twelve weeks resembles roll call at the United Nations. Never have Tottenham fans dreaded a reliable transfer rumor or a “Here We Go” as much as this summer. Nor has the adage “It’s the hope that kills you” ever felt so apropos.
Spurs have not signed a player to a permanent deal since Mohammed Kudus was announced on July 10. They have not even signed a player on loan since João Palhinha on August 3. Meanwhile, Arsenal have shelled out a quarter of a billion pounds on six players and gazumped Spurs for two long-standing targets.
Other than the fact that Tottenham is not West Ham, the good news is that the signings of Kudus and Palhinha have been transformative. The Savinho deal is severely wounded but has yet to be pronounced dead. There are a host of quality attacking players still on the market. And Spurs really only need to bring in a number ten and a winger to give Thomas Frank what he needs to succeed.
The difficult part is that Spurs don’t need “squad” players. They need bona fide starters. If Daniel Levy is willing to spend upwards of £100 million to sign two of the players we’ve filed under “Fantasy Land” and “Dream Targets,” he should be praised for orchestrating an excellent transfer window. If Spurs are left with two “Desperation Signings,” the summer can objectively be considered as a failure of ambition or execution, or both.
Fantasy Land
A collective sigh of relief would wash over fans if Savinho if ultimately signs for Spurs. He would present a terrifying attacking threat opposite Mohammed Kudus. The Brazilian international seems interested in the project, but the rumors are the deal is being blocked by a powerful City board member who evidently wants nothing to do with Daniel Levy.
Rodrygo might be the most desirable target. He can play anywhere across the front line and could turn into Tottenham’s own prime Eden Hazard. Wildly improbable though it may be, the Brazilian is clearly disgruntled at Real Madrid and, like Savinho, he may relish coming to a club where he can start every match and prove his worth to Carlo Ancelotti before the World Cup.
The only way Spurs have a chance of signing Dani Olmo is if the Administrative Litigation Court of Spain rules against Barcelona on September 1, and the Blaugrana don’t believe they can re-register him on the same day. In that case, he would probably end up at Manchester City, but we’re saying there’s a chance.
Although Xavi Simons joining Spurs would create a disturbance in the force, reports out of Germany claim Chelsea need to offload players before they can sign the Dutch starlet. Who knows, maybe Micky van de Ven can put in a good word and Thomas Frank can convince Simons that he won’t have to compete with six other wingers for playing time.
Dream Targets
Despite reports that Tottenham have accelerated their pursuit of Maghnes Akliouche, the AS Monaco star looks increasingly likely to stay in southern France for another year. If Spurs were able to net the French youth international, they would have their winger of the future and rival any team in the Premier League for creativity on the flanks.
Ademola Lookman is still on the market, and the longer the saga between Atalanta and Inter drags on, the better for Spurs. The Nigerian is training away from the team and seems determined to force a move away, which makes a return to London, where he grew up, a distinct possibility. He has a nose for goal and would give Frank a frightening attacking option.
The only way Aston Villa would sell Morgan Rogers to a direct rival is if their PSR situation is truly dire. But if they need to generate revenue, Spurs should go all-in for the recent PFA Young Player of the Season and sign their attacking midfielder of the future. He isn’t likely to come cheap, however, with Aston Villa likely to demand a fee of £80 million.
Chelsea have nearly a starting XI of players they need to sell before they can sign Xavi Simons, and Christopher Nkunku is one who could conceivably end up at Hotspur Way. Would he improve the squad? No question. Would he start over Brennan Johnson week-in, week-out? That would remain to be seen after his struggles in the Premier League.
Spiriting Kobbie Mainoo away from Manchester United would not sit well with fans across old Lancashire. But if Spurs could get this over the line, his talent, youth, and versatility would give Thomas Frank a Rubik’s cube of permutations to choose from in midfield. Given his standing with Ruben Amorim, Spurs signing him for around £50 million is not out of the question
Desperation Signings
Given the loss of Mohammed Kudus to their bitter rivals, selling Lucas Paquetá to Tottenham would cause riots to break out at London Stadium. Real riots. David Sullivan would have to go into hiding somewhere in Sarawak, while Graham Potter might just run away. He would improve the squad as a whole, but would the Brazilian make Spurs demonstrably better?
Would Lee Kang-in shine in the Premier League, or is his game better suited to the more free-flowing styles of play in France and Spain? Despite the well-reported fact that he is South Korean, he is not the second coming of Son Heung-min. Not only did Sonny punch him during a game of ping pong, he may be the type of player who thrives on a dominant team full of stars.
Talented as he may be, Bilal El Khannouss would be a disappointing signing. Spurs fans would pillory Daniel Levy for a lack of ambition and for signing yet another player from a relegated club. The Moroccan has yet to prove himself as a ready-made star, and it’s doubtful that he would start ahead of Pape Matar Sarr or Dejan Kulusevski after he returns from injury.
Alejandro Garnacho is at the bottom of this list and the bottom of most Spurs’ supporters’ hearts. If Tottenham were to sign him, not only would it benefit Manchester United, it would violate Thomas Frank’s “no d***heads” policy. If there is such a thing as “addition by subtraction,” it follows that there is also such a thing as “addition by rejection.”