Tottenham’s victory over Borussia Dortmund lifted the pressure on Thomas Frank for now – but the Spurs boss is hardly out of the woods and Saturday’s trip to Burnley still feels like a huge occassion.
With injuries piling up, Frank has his work cut out to lift the mood of a disgruntled fanbase.
Bodies through the door would be a start so our Spurs expert MATT BARLOW brings you the latest on the transfer comings and goings with under a fortnight to go until the window shuts…
What have Spurs done so far this January?
They have signed England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for £35million, intercepting a proposed loan move to Aston Villa upon learning Rodrigo Bentancur needed surgery on a hamstring injury.
They are also in the final stages of signing Brazilian left back Souza for £13million from Santos. Souza is one for the future and might end up going on loan next season but for now is expected to stay with the first-team squad until the end of this season. He will provide vital cover after Ben Davies broke an ankle.
Spurs lost out to Manchester City in a scramble for Antoine Semenyo. But when the Souza deal is finalised, only City, who have parted with £84m to sign Semenyo and Marc Guehi will have spent more in this window so far.
Spurs beat Aston Villa to the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for £35m
Where do they still need to strengthen?
They have not addressed the left side of the front line, which was the prime area of concern going into January, but injuries to Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison and have disrupted the priorities. They moved for Gallagher because they lost Bentancur.
The return of Dominic Solanke after six months out with injury can help cover the loss of Richarlison but does not stop the search to upgrade at centre forward. This might be one for the summer unless something unexpected shakes out.
And Wilson Odobert looks set for a spell on the right to cover Kudus after the sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace.
The search for a new goalkeeper also looks like one for the summer window.
The return of Dominic Solanke (right) after six months injured can help cover the loss of Richarlison but does not stop the search to upgrade at centre forward
Which players are they targeting?
Spurs are committed to a major overhaul of the playing squad which will go on through the summer and beyond, selling players to raise funds if they are not in the plans of the head coach, but the uncertainty around Frank complicates this.
He will fight on after beating Borussia Dortmund, which means Spurs look set for the last 16 of the Champions League, but there remains a question mark over his long-term future. This clouds a few decisions concerning ins and outs and loans.
There is also the exit of sporting director Fabio Paratici to Fiorentina at the end of the transfer window. Spurs also have Johan Lange in the same role, but their duties are split. Paratici is seen as the deal-maker with the network of influence. He is the one most likely to conjure a deal out of nothing in the last days of the transfer window.
It is the reason Spurs were so keen to keep him for the month when Fiorentina wanted him to start at the beginning of January. Some have accused Paratici of having his head in Italy already. He is, according to Spurs, still fulfilling his duties but this is an area they have to address.
Thomas Frank will fight on after beating Borussia Dortmund but there remains a question mark over his long-term future
Fabio Paratici is seen as the deal-maker with the network of influence at Spurs. He is the one most likely to conjure a transfer out of nothing in the last days of the window
What progress has been made on signings for the summer?
It feels like a big summer brewing for Spurs whether Frank is at the helm or not.
The squad is unbalanced and requires serious surgery in all areas. Not only to target signings but to rebalance, improve the homegrown quotas and identify those who might be sold to raise money.
They admit they must be better at selling, which might bring into the equation those such as 20-year-old centre half Ashley Phillips, who is enjoying a second strong season on loan at Stoke and will fetch a considerable profit on the £2m paid to Blackburn in 2023.
Spurs will search again for a goalkeeping solution beyond Guglielmo Vicario this summer. And try to strengthen up front. They are among those to declare an interest in RB Leipzig’s in-demand winger Yan Diomande but Spurs rarely win recruitment contests with the bigger, richer Premier League clubs.
Liverpool are developing a keen interest in Micky van de Ven which will be a test of Spurs’ resolve in the summer. Van de Ven has resisted a new contract, and it will be a big decision for a Spurs executive tier who have vowed to be better at selling. He is 24 and his current deal expires in 2029 but if they cannot tie him down, do they sell? If so, how much can they command? And what should they buy with the money?
Frank likes Brentford captain Nathan Collins but there is no guarantee Frank will be the head coach.
Veteran left back Ben Davies, out with a broken ankle, is out of contract in the summer but Souza is already on his way. There is an option to turn Joao Palhinha’s one year loan from Bayern Munich into a permanent transfer for £26m in the summer. This might have lost some of its appeal after the sudden swoop for Gallagher but do not rule it out entirely. Again, the identity of the head coach will be a factor.
Spurs may sell 20-year-old centre half Ashley Phillips, who is enjoying a second strong season on loan at Stoke and will fetch a considerable profit on the £2m paid to Blackburn in 2023
Liverpool are developing a keen interest in Micky van de Ven which will be a test of Spurs’ resolve in the summer.
Who could still leave this month?
It hinges somewhat on Frank. And whether they sign anyone else.
As it stands, Mathys Tel is keen to leave on loan, especially after being dropped for a second time from the Champions League squad. There is loan interest from Paris FC and this appeals to Tel who wants to play more regularly in the hope he can make France’s World Cup squad.
Injuries, however, leave Spurs short of a few forward options and they are not keen to let someone leave who can cover them across the front line. The offer of a permanent departure would be more attractive but not something Spurs would do without an upgraded replacement.
Similarly, Randal Kolo Muani wants to play more and might explore a recall and reloan. This could have more appeal to Spurs than letting Tel go because it gives them more flexibility.
Mathys Tel is keen to leave on loan, especially after being dropped for a second time from the Champions League squad
Randal Kolo Muani wants to play more and might explore leaving Spurs and going on loan elsewhere
They can take another throw of the loan dice in the hope they can find a forward more successful than Kolo Muani, who has scored in only one of his 23 appearances, with two goals against parent club Paris Saint-Germain.
Radu Dragusin is also a player interested in a move away. Having returned from a serious knee injury there are clubs keen to take him on loan with an option to buy. They include Roma, among others in Italy, and Leipzig, with whom Spurs have positive recent trading history and with whom they will engage over Diomande.
Again, Spurs cannot afford to lose players if not replaced. Yves Bissouma can leave. Bissouma is out of contract at the end of the season, but Spurs hold a one-year extension and they intend to trigger it to preserve his value if he does not leave this month.
There has been a lot of reshuffling of loans this month although no plan to move or recall either of the two most exciting teenage prospects, Mikey Moore at Rangers and Luka Vuskovic at Hamburg. They are both are expected to stay where they are because they are playing regularly.
