In recent years, Tottenham Hotspur have started spending big in the transfer market in a bid to succeed in the Premier League.
In the past four years alone, the hierarchy has fallen by more than £400 million through new additions, but not all the big-ticket additions have had the desired effect in North London.
Tanguy Ndombele was just one player who was paid a significant amount of money, with the Frenchman paying a reported amount of £63 million in 2019, which was a club record at the time.
He only made 91 appearances in five years for the Lilywhites, returning to his homeland on a free transfer last summer.
As the January deadline approaches, the board and Thomas Frank will need to keep these deals in mind to avoid losing huge amounts of their investment.
Latest information on Spurs’ search for new players this January
In recent weeks, Juventus defender Grayson Bremer is one of the latest players to be linked with a move to Spurs in the upcoming transfer window.
The board are looking to add significant depth and quality to their backline, with Frank’s side reportedly willing to pay £35m for the Brazilian centre-back.
The Lilywhites have scored 11 goals in their last three games and the 28-year-old could be a strong option for next season.
However, there could also be room for improvement in the attacking department, with Monaco star Magnes Akuriosh, who had hoped to sign a forward in the summer, back in the spotlight.
According to Sasha Tavolieri, the Lilywhites are very keen to sign the 23-year-old this winter, but if a deal goes through it could cost the division a significant amount of money.
According to the same journalist, the Ligue 1 side are currently demanding a transfer fee of €70m (about £61m) for his contract, which would be one of the club’s most expensive deals in history.
Why Spurs’ £61m target becomes Simmons 2.0
Spending big on young attackers has been nothing new for Spurs in recent months, with the board reportedly spending £52m to sign Xavi Simmons last summer.
The Dutchman’s move sparked great excitement, with the bosses selecting the 22-year-old to fill the void in the number 10 role following James Maddison’s injury.
However, several months have passed since his major transfer, and as evidenced by his record of zero goals and only two assists, the youngster is having a hard time getting back on track.
Frank was also clearly unhappy with the Dutchman’s lack of quality, with the manager leaving him on the substitute bench in each of the last two games.
However, Simmons has to be given some leeway, especially since attacking midfielders often have to play a somewhat unnatural left-wing role in multiple starts.
However, the club could be looking to sign another version of a big-money talent this January, especially if they can sign Akuriosh in the near future.
He is rated by FBref as an equal player to Simmons in the Champions League, and the two sides even played against each other in October.
Comparing their performances in such campaigns, the Frenchman has outclassed the current Spurs star, which could give Frank the attacking flair he has sorely needed in recent months.
Described by one analyst as “world-class”, Acrioche currently has a higher total of goals and assists in the Champions League.
Comparison of Akuriosh and Simmons at UCL (25/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | Akryosh | simmons |
games played | 5 | 5 |
goals and assists | 2 | 1 |
Pass accuracy | 83% | 81% |
progressive path | 6.3 | 4.7 |
advance to the final third | 3.8 | 2.9 |
Take-up completed | 2.7 | 2.1 |
advance to the final third | 2.1 | 1.3 |
completed cross | 2.4 | 2.1 |
Statistics by FBref | ||
He is also completing more of the passes he attempts, with much of his effort directed towards the final third, showing his creativity when in possession.
Given those results, there is no doubt that Frank will be getting the big-money talent he has been coveting since taking over in North London in the off-season.
The Monaco star has also achieved more take-ons per 90 and more carries into the final third per 90 in Europe this season, reaffirming his incredible ability with the ball at his feet.
In today’s market, £61 million would be a great deal for a player of Akuriosh’s quality. At 23, he has plenty of time to reach the next level of development.
As for Simmons, the Frenchman’s potential move could push him further down the pecking order, but it could also benefit him further.
He needed a kick to ignite his North London career.
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