Report: Tottenham Miss Out Again as Transfer Deadline Nears | OneFootball

Spurs Left Searching for Solutions After Missing Out on Key Targets

Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer frustrations continued last week, with The Athletic reporting that their pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze was hijacked by Arsenal. The Gunners moved swiftly to secure a £60m deal plus £7.5m in add-ons for the attacking midfielder, leaving Spurs without their primary creative target.

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This comes after their earlier failure to sign Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, marking a disappointing theme of missed opportunities.

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Despite these setbacks, Spurs produced an impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday, further underlining Thomas Frank’s growing influence on the squad. The new head coach has found early success with his tactical setup, but the need for reinforcements remains urgent, especially with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski still recovering from long-term injuries.

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Frank, along with chairman Daniel Levy, sporting director Johan Lange and CEO Vinai Venkatesham, faces a key decision. Should they pivot to new targets now, or wait until January? Sources close to the club suggest there is growing concern about squad depth as the season’s fixture list intensifies.

Creative Options Drying Up

Spurs have identified Como’s Nico Paz and Manchester City winger Savinho as potential options, though signing either before the window closes would be complicated. The club’s ambition to sign a high-quality No 10 appears to have stalled, raising concerns about creativity in midfield heading into the Champions League campaign.

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Frank’s emphasis on quality over quantity is shaping Spurs’ recruitment approach. “We are working to make the right additions at the right time,” one club source said. “The focus is on improving the starting XI, not simply filling squad spaces.”

Defensive Concerns Loom

Injuries are adding to Spurs’ challenges, with Radu Dragusin sidelined by an ACL injury and new signing Kota Takai recovering from a foot injury. While Kevin Danso impressed in the Super Cup, Frank needs more reliable depth in defence, especially with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven set for heavy workloads this season.

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Reports on Monday linked Spurs with Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, but interest has cooled, with Arsenal now working on a deal for the Ecuadorian international. Spurs’ reluctance to engage in that pursuit reflects a cautious approach as they assess realistic late-window options.

Potential Departures Create Uncertainty

Hamburg are in discussions to take 18-year-old Luka Vuskovic on loan, a move seen as vital for his development. Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma’s future looks increasingly uncertain. Frank has left him out of recent squads, citing lateness and a minor injury, and his contract runs out next year. A departure is being considered, with Spurs looking to refresh their midfield options.

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Manor Solomon’s future also remains unresolved after his loan spell with Leeds United, while Bryan Gil has been given the green light to leave. The final days of the window could therefore see as much focus on exits as signings.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This transfer window has been a bitter reminder of Tottenham’s struggles to close major deals. Losing Eze to Arsenal was not just a blow in footballing terms, it felt like a symbolic setback, showing their rivals’ ruthlessness while Spurs hesitated. Missing out on Gibbs-White earlier in the window only compounds that frustration. Supporters wanted evidence that the club could capitalise on Frank’s promising start, yet recruitment feels slow and reactive.

The lack of a creative signing is particularly worrying. Maddison’s absence has been felt, and without a proven playmaker, Spurs risk losing the attacking fluidity that defined their strong performances last season. While Nico Paz and Savinho are exciting prospects, neither appears close to joining, and fans are questioning the ambition of the board.

Defensive depth is another concern. Romero and Van de Ven are elite defenders, but their workloads could become unsustainable if reinforcements are not secured. The decision not to move for Hincapie has also raised eyebrows among fans who crave bold action.

Ultimately, Spurs’ strong results under Frank have bought time, but fans know that success in the Champions League and domestic competitions requires more. The feeling is that Spurs are in danger of falling short yet again because of indecision in the market.