Heading into the transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur had a clear goal of improving quality and depth in all areas of the pitch under new manager Thomas Frank.
That was certainly achieved at a cost of over £100m, with the class completing the signing of winger Mohamed Kudus for around £55m.
Much has been made of his move from rivals West Ham United, but it’s safe to say the Ghanaian has already formed a strong bond with the north London supporters.
The 25-year-old has already opened his account at the Lilywhites, scoring the winning goal against Leeds United last week, and has since added to his Premier League record with four assists.
However, Frank’s side could have been much different had he not landed Kudus during the offseason and completed a move to another target.
How close were Spurs to signing Mbeumo this summer?
Following Frank’s selection from Brentford in the summer, there were always rumors about which players he would bring in, but one player who stood out above the rest was Brian Mbeumo.
The Cameroon international scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season, and his form has made him one of the hottest players in the recent transfer market.
At one stage it looked as if the Lilywhites had a genuine chance of signing the 26-year-old, and were even reported to have offered his contribution following the Dane’s appointment.
The player himself spoke about the 51-year-old’s appointment and wished him well in north London, but this has only fueled speculation about a possible move across the capital to succeed his former manager.
However, that was not to be the case and Manchester United completed Mbeumo’s move for £71 million, far more than the Lilywhites’ original offer.
After joining the Red Devils, the Cameroonian claimed he only had his heart set on moving to United during the summer, and subsequently denied any interest in following Frank.
Missing out on his signature was no doubt a disappointment for the fanbase, but there is no need to worry as there are players of Mbeumo’s caliber already in the ranks.
Spurs star to be Frank’s next Mbeumo
Fabio Paratici’s return this week will give the fan base even more reason to be positive after an excellent start to the 2025/26 season under Frank’s guidance.
He stepped down from the position for several years between 2021 and 2023, but was brought back to the club to once again take on the role of sporting director.
No doubt he will be entrusted with the responsibility of recruiting new players to build on the Danes’ early success, as well as overseeing any players who may be released.
However, he has already shown off his incredible work in the transfer market, doing incredible business by signing Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus for just £25m.
The Swede would have been an unknown to many in North London, but his impressive performances before his recent injury setback made him a fan favorite.
He scored 10 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, the best results of his career, and certainly played a big role in the club’s Europa League success.
His quality level is so high that FBref classifies him as a player similar to Mbeumo. That’s a big statement considering the former Brentford star’s performances in 2024/25.
Comparing their respective stats over the same period, the Lilywhites’ talent outperformed him in a number of key areas, and Kulusevski highlighted that quality when he is on form.
Dubbed “incredible” by Jay Harris, the former Juve star completed more progressive passes per 90 (4.7) and then completed even more key passes per 90 (2.5).
Kulusevski & Mbeumo – PL Statistics (2024/25) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | Kulusevsky | Mbeumo |
games played | 32 | 38 |
goals and assists | 11 | 27 |
progressive carry | 4.5 | 3.4 |
progressive path | 4.7 | 3.7 |
Pass accuracy | 74% | 66% |
key pass | 2.5 | 1.8 |
advance to the final third | 2.3 | 1.6 |
Take-up completed | 1.4 | 1.3 |
advance to the final third | 2.5 | 1.8 |
Statistics by FBref | ||
Such numbers highlight the Swede’s creative nature, which has added greatly to Frank’s squad following his recent return from injury.
He also took more take-ons per 90 (1.4) and had more carries into the final third (2.5) per 90. This emphasizes his desire to move the ball into the most dangerous areas possible.
There’s no denying that signing Mbeumo further strengthened Spurs’ first-team squad, but ultimately it would have been a huge risk to pay such a fee after such an excellent season.
With Kulusevski, the club has one of the most underrated players in the division, and the forward could take his career to the next level under Frank in the coming years.
