Tottenham Hotspur have struggled to make it in the Premier League this season, but fans will be pleased to know that the Lewis family are backing Thomas Frank and are prepared to spend money in the January transfer window.
How can Tottenham improve this winter? What have we learned from Window Overture? There is pressure on the board to deliver after Daniel Levy was relieved of his duties at the end of last season, and there are a number of holes in Frank’s team that need to be plugged.
There is growing talk of a new contract for defender Micky van de Ven, but the focus remains on adding quality to the front of Spurs’ squad. James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke are all out for extended periods of time, so a move is expected there.
Who are the players Spurs are targeting this January?
Antoine Semenyo rejected Tottenham. Inquiries have been made and offers are being compiled, but the Bournemouth forward has rejected a move for the Lilywhites, instead focusing on a mid-season move to Manchester City.
The Ghanaian has eight goals and three assists in the Premier League this season and can play up front. He would have been the perfect player for Tottenham, but this move to City could work in the Lilywhites’ favor.
That’s because Tottenham are looking at the opportunity to sign Omar Marmouche from Josep Guardiola’s side. According to Caught Offside, transfer insider Mark Bulls says Semenyo will replace the 26-year-old, who could leave the Etihad Stadium in 2026.
Man City signed Marmouche from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £59 million in January 2024, but despite a strong start, he has fallen down the table.
There is a real chance Spurs sign him this winter, especially with ENIC poised and the north London side said to be pushing to sign him.
Why Marmouche signs a “superstar” contract
Hailed as a ‘superstar’ of forwards by Manchester City writer Radu Christian, Marmouche was on a sinking ship last season, proving his class with clinical performances in the Premier League and a hat-trick against Newcastle United.
The Egyptian international scored 15 goals and provided 10 assists in 17 Bundesliga games in 2024/25 before flying to England, with content creator Feargo labeling him “one of the best strikers in the world” at that stage.
He has only started two games in the Premier League this season. This is not to deny his talent, nor does it mean that he is not an excellent player in this division.
There is a strong case to be made that the £295,000-a-week talent is even better than Semenyo and has married a club that can help develop his talismanic qualities, and could even change that narrative before the end of the current campaign.
After all, Marmouche may be on the periphery, but according to FBref, he ranks in the top 5% of players by position in Europe’s top five leagues in goals per 90 over the past year, and has a directness that rivals Cherries star Semenyo.
Premier League – Marmouche (24/25) vs Semenyo (25/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per match) | Mamouche | Semenyo |
Match (start) | 16(14) | 16(16) |
the goal | 7 | 8 |
assist | 0 | 3 |
touch* | 35.1 | 48.9 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 3.1 (1.1) | 2.4(1.3) |
missed a big opportunity | 3 | 5 |
Exact path* | 15.1 (84%) | 19.9 (77%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 8 | 4 |
It was successful. dribble* | 1.3 | 1.6 |
Tackle + Interception* | 1.2 | 1.9 |
Win a duel* | 3.6 | 6.4 |
Data via Sofascore | ||
It’s worth remembering that when Marmouche found himself in a truly dire situation during Pep Guardiola’s time at Man City, he provided respite while the Spanish tactician tried to steady the ship. Now he is adrift and Tottenham must give him a lifeline.
Last season, he proved his prolific and accurate value in the Premier League, maintaining his creativity while running around the final third.
For a player who was awarded Goal of the Season for the 2024/25 season and is considered one of the most dangerous players on the continent, he will have to play regular football: centre-forward, shadow striker or winger.
Tottenham could give him the platform he needs to remind everyone of his quality and that he is better than players like Semenyo.
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