Tottenham are reportedly ready to pay over £50 million for a striker who manager Thomas Frank has already called “remarkable”, with the Lilywhites currently struggling for creativity in the final third.
Tottenham linked with new centre-forward amid attacking struggles
On paper, Spurs have made a very solid start to the new season under Frank.
Only Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea boast more Premier League goals so far this season, with Frank’s side losing just two of their opening eight top flight matches and by very narrow margins.
Matches
12
Wins
6
Draws
3
Losses
3
Points
18
Points per game
1.75
However, there’s been a recurring criticism surrounding Spurs’ most recent encounters, and that is their failure to convince going forward.
Xavi Simons is at the centre of debate following his lack of goal contributions since a £52 million move from RB Leipzig in the summer. His arrival was largely tipped to fill the void left by James Maddison’s long-term injury and the continued absence of fellow creator Dejan Kulusevski, but Simons has just one assist to show for his efforts so far.
Worries also surround the north Londoners’ striker options.
Mathys Tel, despite scoring against Leeds United at Elland Road before the international break, proved largely ineffective in Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa last weekend. This came after Tel was given the starting nod again ahead of Richarlison, who’s come under fire from certain sections of the media for a lack of consistency.
Dominic Solanke should return soon after undergoing minor surgery on an ankle problem, but the England international’s struggles with fitness have been pretty consistent since his club-record move from Bournemouth last summer.
Rank
Player
Fee
Signed from
Year
1
Dominic Solanke
£65m
Bournemouth
2024
2
Tanguy Ndombele
£62.8m
Lyon
2019
3
Richarlison
£60m
Everton
2022
4
Mohammed Kudus
£55m
West Ham
2025
5
Xavi Simons
£52m
RB Leipzig
2025
As a result, Spurs are being linked with new strikers ahead of January, and one of them is former Brentford star Ivan Toney.
The England international, who bagged 20 Premier League goals during his best season at the G-tech under Frank’s tutelage, has been scoring for fun in the Middle East since his £40 million switch to Al-Ahli last year.
The 29-year-old has bagged 39 goals in 56 appearances for Al-Ahli, but Toney’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia threatens his place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup plans.
Toney, apart from one nod earlier this year, has largely been excluded from the Three Lions squad, and the prospect of a Premier League return to better his chances of an England re-call may appeal to him.
Tottenham ready to bid £52m for ex-Brentford star Ivan Toney
Some reports suggest that Frank has personally contacted Toney about joining Spurs on loan in January, and now there’s been another update on the club’s interest.
As per Spanish media sources, if a mid-season loan turns out to be impossible, Tottenham are prepared to bid £52 million for Toney and bring him back to the Premier League in 2026, with the north Londoners described as more advanced than Chelsea in a potential move for him.
It is worth noting that West Ham have also been linked with a swoop for Toney as well, so it appears a host of London clubs are weighing up the prospect of his signing.
However, there could be major hurdles to navigate, the main one being his seismic £427,000-per-week pay packet.
Toney would almost certainly need to take a massive wage cut to seal a return to England, but if Spurs’ co-sporting directors Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici find a realistic way to do it, there is little denying that Frank would be thrilled to have the number nine.