With the January transfer window in full swing, Tottenham Hotspur are being tipped for a major squad overhaul. A series of persistent rumours have painted a picture of what a dream starting line-up could look like for manager Thomas Frank by the end of the month, featuring a new £40 million striker, a Real Madrid goalkeeper, and a winger also wanted by Manchester United.
Defensive Reinforcements and a Goalkeeping Shake-Up
The speculation begins between the posts, where current number one Guglielmo Vicario has faced criticism for an error-prone season. Reports from Italy suggest Inter Milan are monitoring the Italian, which could prompt a surprising exit. Should Vicario depart, TEAMtalk indicates Spurs could move for Real Madrid's Andriy Lunin. The Ukrainian goalkeeper is struggling for minutes behind Thibaut Courtois and is said to be open to a Premier League switch, with Nottingham Forest and Brighton also linked.
In defence, the club are reportedly 'in talks' with Santos over right-back Souza, having seen an £8 million bid rejected, according to The Standard. This potential move comes amid murmurings of interest from Real Madrid in Tottenham's own full-back, Pedro Porro, potentially setting the stage for a swap deal.
Midfield Consistency and a Forward Line Revamp
The engine room is an area where Thomas Frank has options, though questions remain over the quality needed to push Spurs up the table. The long-term absence of James Maddison is a blow, placing reliance on developing talents like Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. As such, major investment is expected to be focused further up the pitch, especially after an injury to Mohammed Kudus was revealed to be worse than feared and following Brennan Johnson's departure to Crystal Palace.
The most exciting attacking link is to RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande. Fabrizio Romano claims the winger's potential is driving Premier League clubs 'crazy', with Tottenham said to be among his suitors. They would, however, face direct competition from Manchester United for his signature.
The Hunt for a Reliable Centre-Forward
Perhaps the most critical need is for a proven goalscorer. Despite hopes around Dominic Solanke's return from injury, the search for a reliable centre-forward continues. Chronicle Live reports that Spurs could rival Newcastle United for Celta Vigo's Jorgen Strand Larsen. Football Insider has touted a price tag of around £40 million for the Norwegian striker, with Nottingham Forest also in the frame.
Further adding to the potential firepower, Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel has also been mentioned in connection with a move to North London. If even half of these rumours come to fruition, it would represent a transformative window for a Tottenham side seeking to rediscover its spark under Thomas Frank after a run of disappointing draws.
