Tottenham are making plans to sign a new striker in 2026 amid concerns surrounding Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, with the Lewis family’s recent £100 million cash injection potentially about to be reinvested into the transfer market.
Tottenham dealt Solanke and Richarlison worries as new striker targeted
Solanke is expected back soon after undergoing minor surgery on an ankle problem, but the England international’s goalscoring proficiency has been marred by fitness issues since his club-record £65 million move from Bournemouth last year.
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Tottenham’s most expensive signings of all time |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Player |
Fee |
Signed from |
Year |
|
1 |
Dominic Solanke |
£65m |
Bournemouth |
2024 |
|
2 |
Tanguy Ndombele |
£62.8m |
Lyon |
2019 |
|
3 |
Richarlison |
£60m |
Everton |
2022 |
|
4 |
Xavi Simons |
£52m |
RB Leipzig |
2025 |
|
5 |
Brennan Johnson |
£47.5m |
Nottingham Forest |
2023 |
|
See the rest here… |
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The striker missed over 12 games last season with a combination of thigh, knee and ankle issues, with Solanke already sitting out eight matches this term and hasn’t managed to play more than 20 minutes in a single one of his appearances under Thomas Frank.
Understandably, some supporters have grown slightly frustrated by Solanke’s lack of availability, even if he finished 24/25 as their second-top scorer in all competitions behind Brennan Johnson with 16 goals.
Richarlison, meanwhile, got off to a flying start this season with a brace against Burnley on the opening Premier League weekend, including a sensational bicycle kick and early goal of the season contender, but the Brazilian has largely failed to convince on-lookers since then.
“Richarlison for me, big money, £60 million he cost. He started the season on fire, two goals against Burnley, then scored a tap-in against Brighton,” pundit Gabrile Agbonlahor told talkSPORT recently.
“Then you’re like, this could be the season Richarlison kicks on and becomes the main man, but the same thing happens season after season with Richarlison.
“He will have a couple of good games, he’ll have three or four games where he will give absolutely zero, and if he’s leading your line, with Solanke’s injury problems, that’s a scare for me for Spurs.”
Taking this into account, Spurs CEO Vinai Venkatesham and the new-look Lilywhites board have already been linked with a few intriguing centre-forward targets.
Frank has reportedly reached out to Ivan Toney over a potential loan move to Tottenham in January, coming after the Englishman dazzled under him at Brentford with 20 Premier League goals in 2022/2023.
As Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic’s contract ticks down towards expiry next summer, Spurs have also been touted with a swoop for the Serbian.
Vlahovic could replace Kolo Muani after Tottenham approach made
Reports suggest that Vlahovic’s camp have spoken to Tottenham as they reach out to various suitors, and Italian news outlet Sport Quotidiano now have an update on the 25-year-old’s situation.
They claim that Tottenham have “tested the waters” for Vlahovic, suggesting an approach has been made, and the ex-Fiorentina star could even replace summer signing Randal Kolo Muani, who’s only on a dry loan from PSG and yet to establish himself due to injury.
Quotidiano adds that Vlahovic, who they claim earns around £202,000-per-week, is “increasingly likely” to depart Turin with no fresh terms in sight.
The international hitman is poised to become one of next year’s most in-demand free agents at the very least, if Juve don’t opt to sell him for a cheap fee in the winter.
The number nine boasts a fairly impressive track record, consistently finding the back of the net in Serie A with Fiorentina and Juventus — scoring at least 14 goals in every season since his breakthrough campaign at La Viola in 2020/2021.
Tottenham have struggled at times to convert chances, lacking a reliable, clinical finisher to lead the line amid Solanke and Richarlison’s problems.
Vlahovic’s attacking record in one of Europe’s toughest leagues speaks volumes, and his physical presence adds another dimension too.
Signing him for free or at a cut-price in January would be an arguable coup when factoring in the long-standing interest in him from Premier League clubs, but his wages could be a sticking point, as Vlahovic’s current terms would make him Tottenham’s highest-paid player.
