How Spurs can upgrade Dominic Solanke

Well, there you have it. Matheus Fernandes becomes a Tottenham Hotspur player.

Their supporters must have never dreamed that their transfer record would be erased after they finished 17th in the Premier League. Alas, the winds of change are blowing at Spurs under manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Something is different from the current administration. They can finally act like a big club.

£85m is a magic number for Fernandes, but he could also break the transfer record again. Sandro Tonali, worth an estimated £100m, is in the spotlight and Spurs’ hope is that they can sign two midfielders. It’s summer for Lilywhites.

There could still be room for a striker, with former club record holder Dominic Solanke potentially on the chopping block.

Spurs explore move to sign World Cup star

They were on the verge of being relegated, but it looks like the penny has finally dropped at Tottenham. To rise from the ruins, you will need to significantly strengthen and throw things through the kitchen sink.

Of course, Fernandes is not the only new addition. Spurs have already spent £52m to bring Jan Paul van Hecke to north London.

He is joined by fellow defenders Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to create a new backline that will undoubtedly improve on their dismal defensive record from the 2025/26 season. Only the relegated team scored more goals.

However, De Zerbi still needs more goals. That’s why they could look to upgrade Solanke in the coming weeks. Who can arrive? Well, there have been some rumors about Troy Parrott’s return, and now a World Cup star has popped up on their radar.

According to a French report discussing the future of Monaco striker Folarin Balogun. They report that he is a target after PSG sold Gonzalo Ramos to AC Milan.

However, Tottenham are also on the table to sign the American international, making him a ‘priority’ target. Chelsea are also said to be interested in bringing him to the Premier League.

It was previously revealed that £43 million could be needed to lure him away from the Duchy.

Comparison between Balogun and Solanke

When Spurs signed Solanke in the summer of 2024, the previous regime followed exactly the same recipe as the current one, signing a player with a proven track record in the Premier League.

Spending £65m on the former Bournemouth player certainly raised some eyebrows, but he has improved after a 21-goal season with the Cherries.

But since his arrival, he has endured two very different seasons in north London. During his debut period at Tottenham, he scored 16 goals. That’s not a bad return, but you’d expect much more from a £65m player.

However, the 2025/26 season was a disastrous season for England players. Due to injury, he only appeared in 15 league games and 20 official games. He scored only 6 goals.

It has been a struggle for the centre-forward to get back into form due to injuries and indeed Spurs’ own woes, but he was not too convinced. Tottenham had difficulty getting him into games, taking only 22.7 touches per game. By the way, Victor Gokeres was also lamented for not being involved enough, with just 18.1 touches.

Now, the amount of touches doesn’t matter if you’re scoring a lot of goals, but that’s not the case with Solanke. That’s why former Arsenal man Balogun could be the ideal replacement or upgrade.

The striker, now 24, learned the trade with the Gunners but with no previous football experience he headed to France. Balogun was initially loaned to Reims, where he exploded into action, scoring 22 goals that year, before signing a permanent contract with Monaco. He scored just 12 goals in his first two years, but bounced back to form last season with 19 goals in 43 games.

Slowly but surely, the USMNT star is starting to become one of the most clinical strikers around. His form at the World Cup was proof of that, scoring an excellent brace against Paraguay. But how is he different from Solanke?

Well, Balogun definitely had a better year in front of goal. The main difference between the two is that in one striker you get a more progressive player and in the other you get a more physical presence.

Throughout 2025/26, the current leader of Spurs’ attack won more victories, especially in duels in the air. He is very valuable in that respect.

Still, it would have to be said that Balogun is a better fit for De Zerbi’s progressive ball play and Carry’s style of play. The American completes 0.97 more progressive actions per game and is a much better carrier in possession.

Surrounded by other ball carriers like Mohamed Kudus, James Maddison and Fernandes, Spurs’ style of football will look even better next season.