Tottenham Hotspur are ready to splash the cash on a prolific new striker to replace Harry Kane as reporter Pete O’Rourke shares a transfer update.
Who will Spurs replace Kane with?
Spurs and new manager Ange Postecoglou have actually started life without Kane brilliantly, scoring four goals in two of their opening Premier League matches.
A 2-2 draw away to Brentford and impressive 2-0 victory over Man United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Saturday showcased the club’s new look attacking style under Postecoglou.
However, it is unreasonable to believe Spurs can go the whole campaign without replacing Kane’s guaranteed goal threat in the final third, leading to links with a host of striking options.
Indeed, perhaps the most noteworthy of them is exciting young Nigeria star Gift Orban, who has been free-scoring for Gent in the Belgian Pro League this year.
Another to have been linked fairly recently is Lille star Jonathan David, with reliable transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano hinting in mid-week that Spurs could make a late move for him.
“There could be some opportunity at the last minute for Tottenham,” said Romano on David.
“The player they have been tracking for a long time is Jonathan David, it is very expensive, around €60m (£55m), and it won’t be easy to replace a player like Jonathan David. Let’s see, I think this could be a domino, but it has not started yet for Tottenham.”
Whichever forward ends up joining Spurs, if any, will have some pretty big shoes to fill as Kane was a serial record-breaker during his time in north London.
Reporter O’Rourke, writing a piece for Football Insider, has shared news from one of his well-placed sources – who has apparently said Tottenham are setting aside a “huge” sum of cash to sign Kane’s successor.
The journalist also claims that Spurs are “now set to move” for their top striking targets as they eye a “prolific new striker” following Kane’s sale.
It is believed the club plan to land a “big signing” in that area before September 1 and “significant funds” are available, which will come as an exciting bit of news for Tottenham supporters.
Orban is indeed being targeted, while O’Rourke writes that Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku is not of interest despite reports stating otherwise.
Which striker should Spurs sign?
Despite Orban’s obvious potential, we believe Spurs should display some ambition with a move for David, as Romano has reported this week.
The Canada international has been in quite simply scintillating form for his club, Lille, scoring 26 goals in all competitions for the Ligue 1 side last term.
Canada manager John Herdman has also called David a ‘fearless’ striker, while French football expert Adam White raved over the 23-year-old’s exploits in a detailed piece for The Guardian – likening him to both Luis Suarez and Wissam Ben Yedder.
David also has just two years left on his contract, which expires in 2025, meaning Spurs could potentially wiggle down Lille’s asking price of around £55m.
Indeed, having regularly scored for fun in the French top flight, he has more experience than someone like Orban but also years of proven ability.
Spurs: Eric Dier swap deal could help land new signing
Marco Silva and Ange Postecoglou could do each other a favour…
As the Premier League season kicks on and the transfer window edges closer and closer to slamming shut, Tottenham could yet enjoy a busy end to the summer.
Still looking to make reinforcements with the money earned from Harry Kane’s departure and needing to shift several players out to balance the squad, the Lilywhites could kill two birds with one stone…
What’s the latest on Eric Dier and Tosin Adarabioyo?
According to reports, Spurs’ interest in Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo has left the Cottagers in a position to potentially pursue a deal for Eric Dier this summer, who has emerged as Marco Silva’s choice at the London club.
Adarabioyo reportedly only wants to join AS Monaco, but Fulham’s reluctance to sell to the Ligue 1 club is due to the fact that they want to sign Dier and hope to use their own defender in a part-swap deal to smooth things over – they would much prefer to do a deal with Spurs.
Adarabioyo’s preference for a Monaco move makes a deal complicated, but it certainly looks like one to keep an eye on as the transfer window comes to an end, and the two clubs have a good relationship, as per RMC Sport, via Sport Witness.
Should Spurs swap Dier for Adarabioyo?
Losing 29-year-old Dier and replacing him with 25-year-old Adarabioyo would certainly be an upgrade for the Lilywhites, especially if Ange Postecoglou doesn’t particularly rate the current Spurs man, having left him out of his plans so far.
The Fulham defender has earned plenty of deserved praise from current manager Silva, too, who said, via TBR Football: “And with Tosin, we know what we expect from him. Of course, quality on the ball in the first build-up, to find the players between the lines. Tosin had a good game and did what we expected.”
Meanwhile, Dier struggled in the previous campaign, as the Lilywhites failed to qualify for European football altogether. The England international featured heavily for the North London club, making 33 appearances, and was a regular feature in some of the club’s more humiliating results.
Statistically speaking, when compared to Adarabioyo last season, as per FBref, Dier made fewer progressive passes, fewer progressive carries, and fewer clearances per 90. Of course, Dier’s ability to play in midfield, and in defence, could prove to be a major benefit for Fulham, but there’s no doubt Spurs would be getting the player with the higher ceiling.
Even Pep Guardiola has spoken glowlingly about the 6 foot 5 ace, saying back in 2021: “He’s a guy for the academy, finally, he took his position in the Premier League and we are more than delighted the level he’s showing. He deserves it, he’s an exceptional person and a good footballer.”
With Micky van de Ven starting his Spurs career in impressive fashion and Cristian Romero seemingly ironing the rash moments out of his game, Postecoglou could have a superb group of centre-backs all approaching their primes if they can complete a swap deal for Adarabioyo
