This offseason is shaping up to be one of the strangest in recent memory, with Tottenham`s quest for an attacking midfielder continuing despite earnest efforts. The club has twice agreed terms with players to bolster Thomas Frank`s squad, only for both deals to collapse at the very last moment. With the former Brentford manager now leading Spurs in a season that sees them return to Champions League football, the stakes are incredibly high, and it`s crucial that he has the necessary squad to compete. A recent match against Manchester City could have been an opportunity for Tottenham to demonstrate improvement from the team that finished 17th in the league last season; instead, the looming concern remains another midfielder failing to sign for them.
Without James Maddison, the attack clearly needs more creativity. While Pape Sarr performed admirably as the most advanced midfielder against Burnley, securing an assist, replicating that against City is a completely different challenge than facing a newly promoted side. Even if Sarr continues to shine, with Spurs juggling four competitions, squad depth is paramount. Frank is keenly aware of this need.
“There are a couple of things,” Frank stated ahead of the Manchester City fixture. “The club is working very hard to see if we can strengthen the squad. We only want to do that with players we believe are good enough to genuinely help the team. This has been our approach from the beginning, and we will continue with it.”
Unsuccessful Transfer Attempts
The summer began with Tottenham expecting to sign Morgan Gibbs-White by activating his release clause. However, Nottingham Forest threatened legal action for alleged tampering, putting the deal on hold. This ultimately resulted in Gibbs-White signing a new contract with Forest, forcing Tottenham back to the drawing board. It was a painful blow, but they seemingly had other options, quickly shifting their focus to Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace.
Though the deal dragged on, it appeared promising until Kai Havertz sustained an injury, prompting Arsenal to swoop in. While there are many reasons a player might prefer Arsenal over Tottenham at this stage of their career, Eze already held an affinity for the “red” side of North London. When the Gunners called, it swiftly led to an agreement for him to join them instead of Tottenham.
Time remains to bring in an attacking midfielder, and Tottenham has been linked with Savinho from Manchester City. Although he is more of a winger than a traditional number 10, Mohamed Kudus could play centrally or further forward, creating space on the flanks. Technical director Johan Lange and Tottenham are clearly seeking a creative profile: someone adept at dribbling past opponents, shooting, and possessing an excellent passing eye. This makes sense, considering they need to replace not only Maddison`s output but also that of Son Heung-Min, who departed for Los Angeles FC before the season began.
So, where can Tottenham look for help now?
Savinho Could Define the Transfer Window
Savinho, linked with Tottenham and potentially available from City, would represent a challenging transfer for the club. However, given their return to the Champions League, this is precisely the caliber of player Tottenham should be targeting. Frank doesn`t just need a squad player; he requires a weekly starter, and Savinho is capable of fulfilling that role. His inaugural season at City was subdued, but the 21-year-old still managed one goal and eight assists. This marks a drop from his nine goals and ten assists with Girona in LaLiga, suggesting his potential contribution for Tottenham might lie somewhere in between these figures.
Statistically, there`s much to admire beneath the surface. His single goal last year was significantly below his five expected goals (xG), accumulated in just 1770 minutes. Savinho`s 0.25 xG per 90 minutes and 0.31 expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes combine to comfortably exceed the 0.5 mark, often a hallmark of an emerging star. His appeal is clear.
Capable of playing on either wing, his inclusion would likely require Kudus to shift into a central position. However, Frank`s systems value flexibility, which Savinho offers. More importantly, he is a player ready to contribute effectively now, with the potential to develop into a superstar. Such a combination is well worth a substantial fee.
Dwight McNeil is Also an Alternative
For a slightly less audacious target, Everton`s Dwight McNeil also fits the bill. Known for his strong defensive work rate, and having scored seven goals while assisting 12 more since the beginning of the 2022-23 season, McNeil has consistently performed well with limited resources. Unlike Savinho, relying on McNeil in Champions League play would be a considerable step up from Everton, and he also carries an injury risk, having featured in only 23 games last season due to a significant knee injury. At 25, he is entering his prime, so Tottenham should anticipate further improvement. McNeil`s ability to play on either wing or in the center of the pitch could make the attack harder to track, and he should be able to contribute capably for years to come. While he wouldn`t be easy to pry from Everton, the move could make sense, especially as Everton has already acquired Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for their attacking lineup and is working on a deal for Southampton`s Tyler Dibbling. This might make Everton more inclined to sell a player from that area of the field for the right price.
Andreas Pereira Could Offer a Stopgap Solution
Finally, there`s the emergency option: Andreas Pereira. While not the most glamorous choice, his creative role at Fulham has diminished under Marco Silva following the arrivals of Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi. Pereira is another versatile player, capable of doing a bit of everything, even lining up in a double pivot if necessary. However, he doesn`t seem like someone who would significantly raise the ceiling of the current Tottenham squad. Nevertheless, if they find themselves needing an attacking player on deadline day, there are worse options. This wouldn`t be a window-saving signing, but if further injuries were to occur, the Brazilian would provide solid cover.
