Tottenham Hotspur supporters are often blessed with players like Harry Kane scoring goals inside the final third, but such a presence is severely lacking in the current first team.
Richarlison and Randall Kolo Muani have shared responsibilities at the top end of the pitch in recent weeks, but neither has scored since mid-September.
The joint top scorer in the Premier League this season is centre-back Micky van de Ven, which further highlights the lack of quality available to Thomas Frank at the moment.
However, with the January transfer window rapidly approaching, the Dane has the opportunity to acquire a new talisman for success in north London.
A number of players have been named to the shortlist in recent weeks, with Fabio Paratici returning as sporting director likely to play a key role in any future possibilities.
Spurs to acquire new talisman in January
In recent days, Spurs have been heavily linked with a move to sign Porto star Sam Agehowa this winter, but such a deal would represent a huge investment.
The Spaniard, who scored 11 goals in the first 14 games of the 2025/26 campaign, is a much-needed player, but given his current release clause of £87m, a move would be quite expensive.
However, he is not the only player left on the current shortlist, with Paratici looking to make the most of his links with Juventus to sign Dusan Vlahovic.
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta, the Lilywhites are firmly in the race to land the Serbian player on a cut-price contract, with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2026.
It has also been confirmed that Bayern Munich are in the race for the 25-year-old, but Frank’s side could have the upper hand given Paratici’s links with the old lady.
Such a move could finally hand the Dane the talisman he has been coveting, with the frontman potentially becoming the next version of the player he developed under his tutelage at Brentford.
Why Spurs’ latest target could be Frank’s next Tony
For four of Frank’s seven years in charge at Brentford, he was able to rely on striker Ivan Toney, who was a constant source of goals in front of goal.
The Englishman scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for the Bees, more than any other player during the Dane’s reign in the capital, and one who often appeared at crucial moments.
50% of his efforts at Brentford came in the English top flight, the highest figure in the Bees’ history, although Yoan Wissa and Brian Mbuumo have since surpassed such figures.
Given the current lack of options at Frank’s disposal in North London, there is no denying that he would prefer to rely on a player of the 29-year-old’s quality.
Such a move could have happened in the summer of 2024, but the Lilywhites opted to move Dominic Solanke after the former Bees star completed a move to Saudi Arabia.
A deal for Toney may be unlikely, but if Paratici completes the deal for Vlahovic, Frank could land the next version of the Englishman in the coming months.
Both have displayed incredible scoring records in recent seasons, with the Juve star finding the back of the net 62 times in 152 appearances for the Italian giants.
The 25-year-old’s goalscoring record is important, but his current contract issues at Turin could provide the Lilywhites’ board with a bargain option to solve their centre-forward woes.
His fundamental numbers in the current season also show the all-round qualities he adds to the side, finally handing the manager the much-needed presence he has sorely needed since taking over.
Blachowicz, described by coach Luca Toni as “one of the best strikers”, started just three games in Serie A in 2025/26, but that didn’t stop him from finding the back of the net twice.
Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus statistics (25/26) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | tally |
games played | 14 |
Number of points scored | 6 |
shot on target | 1.1 |
Accuracy of shots on target | 38% |
aerial won | 2.5 |
Goals per 90 points | 0.65 |
touch the offensive box | 6.7 |
foul win | 1.4 |
Statistics by FotMob | |
His record of 1.1 shots on target per 90 highlighted his accuracy in the attacking area, and he gained a total of 2.5 aerial shots per 90, giving Frank the focus he was looking for.
The Serbian currently ranks 88th among all Italian players in points per 90 and could be the missing piece to Denmark’s Lilywhites’ attacking puzzle.
It is currently unclear how much Vlahovic’s deal will cost this summer, but it is clear that he would be the perfect addition to the club’s impressive front line.
If he can match the level Tony produced under the Dane’s tutelage at Brentford, it would be a fantastic move and an opportunity for the club to reach new heights in the near future.