Tottenham do not expect Dejan Kulusevski back in action before the end of the calendar year.
Kulusevski underwent knee surgery in May after suffering an injury in a defeat by Crystal Palace.
He missed the end of the season including the triumphant Europa League final and his extended absence has fuelled their quest to sign a creative playmaker this summer.
James Maddison is also likely to miss most of the season ahead after damaging knee ligaments in a preseason friendly and Spurs have failed in their attempts to sign Morgan Gibbs White from Nottingham Forest and Eberechi Eze from Palace.
Tottenham’s new head coach Thomas Frank has thus far been reluctant to put any sort of time frame on Kulusevski’s possible return.
When he was asked at his unveiling press conference in July, Frank refused to confirm anything other than that he would not be ready for the start of the season.
Tottenham do not expect Dejan Kulusevski back in action before the end of the calendar year
Tottenham’s new head coach Thomas Frank has thus far been reluctant to put any sort of time frame on Kulusevski’s possible return
However, the 25-year-old Sweden international, who has proved effective both wide on the right and centrally as a creative number 10, appears likely to be out until the end of this year.
Spurs are stepping up their pursuit of alternative targets after conceding Eze will join Arsenal. These include Nico Paz of Como, Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco and Savinho of Manchester City.
