Tottenham Hotspur go into the final few days of the winter transfer window with plenty of work left to do. Thomas Frank’s team might have made a fast start in the Champions League but it’s a different story domestically – especially on home turf. A return of just nine points from 11 home league games has been a big factor in their lowly league position, with new manager Frank under pressure with the team sat 14th in the table. The right deals in the dying embers of the window could help change that, though.
Spurs spent more than £170million over the summer, with Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons the two most expensive additions. However, they have suffered from a clear lack of creativity with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison unavailable through injury. They’ve already added Conor Gallagher to their ranks this month but they’ve also recouped money through the sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace. Transfer chief Fabio Paratici might be on his way out but Spurs still need to add to their ranks in January, so here’s a look at what they could do.
Sign Maghnes Akliouche
French winger Akliouche was eyed by a number of clubs over the summer but Monaco’s steep asking price appeared to deter some suitors. Now, though, that price is believed to sit at a more affordable £43million.
Football.London reported earlier in the month that Monaco were looking at potential replacements for the 23-year-old, who scored his first senior France goal in November. He can operate off the right or behind a striker, positioning him as an ideal candidate to make up for Johnson’s exit and Kudus’ injury.
Agree a new deal for Pedro Porro
Spanish right-back Porro joined Spurs permanently in the summer of 2023 for a fee just shy of £40m after a few months on loan from Sporting CP. He agreed a five-year contract at the time, meaning there will be just two years left on his deal after this summer.
Transfermarkt currently value him at roughly £35m, and that will only decrease as his expiry gets closer. It would make sense to secure an extension for the 26-year-old and get ahead of any bids, given his reliability at the back.
He has featured in 106 of Spurs’ 116 games since he joined, starting 97, with the injury he sustained over the weekend setting up his first extended absence since moving to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Find a buyer for Radu Dragusin
Even after the sale of Johnson, there is money to be raised through sales elsewhere. Radu Dragusin only recently returned from 11 months out with an ACL tear but there is potential interest in the Romanian.
Dragusin will likely be after minutes as he aims to help his country through their World Cup play-off challenge. The former Genoa star still has admirers on the continent and reports in Italy suggest AC Milan may be able to step in and offer him a change of scenery.
Dragusin isn’t the only player who Spurs might be able to offload to raise some funds. Mathys Tel has been linked with a move after being taken out of Frank’s Champions League squad and the arrival of Akliouche could clear the way for the Bayern Munich star to find new surroundings.