Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has grand plans to sign striker Dominic Solanke once he returns from injury, contrary to other reports.
In recent days, Spurs’ club-record signing was actually linked to his departure in January.
The 28-year-old last featured for the Reds in a brief cameo in Tottenham’s 2-0 win away to Man City, but has been sidelined since then with a minor ankle problem.
Tottenham absentee list | problem | Expected return date |
|---|---|---|
Dejan Kulusevski | knees | 2025/11/22 |
james madison | ACL | 2026/01/06 |
Radu Dragushin | knees | 2025/11/22 |
ben davis | thigh | 2025/11/23 |
Kota Takai | ankle/foot | August 11, 2025 |
Eve Bissouma | ankle/foot | August 11, 2025 |
Wilson Odbert | abdomen | November 1, 2025 |
Christian Romero | between legs | November 1, 2025 |
Destiny Udogie | knees | August 11, 2025 |
Dominic Solanke | ankle | August 11, 2025 |
archie gray | calf/shin/heel | June 11, 2025 |
via premier injury | ||
Solanke underwent minor surgery to correct the problem, but the Frankish forward continues to work towards returning to full fitness ahead of the tough matches.
Speaking before the win against Everton, Frank said: “Dominic, he’s positive. He’s moving in the right direction every day.”
“I was standing on the grass by myself again today, and now I’m doing a sustainable amount of pitching sessions by myself, so I’m making progress.”
Surprisingly, Frank is not particularly impressed with Solanke despite playing just 49 minutes in total under the new Spurs manager, with reports suggesting he may be considering selling the England international.
Solanke’s instability and fitness issues have led supporters to question his suitability as Tottenham’s long-term first-choice striker, with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic reportedly emerging as a likely replacement when the Serbian’s contract expires at the end of this season.
“The other thing we’ve heard is that a lot of Premier League clubs are chasing them and Tottenham are leading the race. Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested,” Bayern Munich official Christian Falk said this week.
“So if a club like that is already on the table, it becomes a question of money (which can cost a lot of money).”
His relationship with Vlahovic could raise some questions about Solanke’s future in the N17, but according to reporter Dean Jones, the former Bournemouth star doesn’t need to worry too much about his status.
Thomas Frank’s grand plans for Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke
Writing for TEAMtalk, Jones said Frank is preparing to make Solanke the focal point of their attack once he returns from injury, and there is a growing “internal” belief that Solanke can add a fresh and “new” dimension to their offensive play.
Despite Solanke’s challenges, there is a clear feeling among Tottenham’s coaching staff and insiders that he has the qualities to lead effectively up front.
Frank is keen to have Solanke back and expects him to increase Tottenham’s attacking threat in important games.
The delay in his return could also be due to Spurs adopting a more cautious approach considering the number nine’s overall fitness in an attempt to avoid a setback.
Matthijs Tell has generally struggled to replace Solanke, apart from his goal away to Leeds United, while Richarlison had a memorable night in Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Solanke proved his worth last season with 16 goals in all competitions, making him Spurs’ second top scorer behind Brennan Johnson. This number of goals underlines his importance in the team’s attack and highlights the threat he poses when fully fit.
Solanke’s presence allows Frank to build an attack around a proven goalscorer, providing stability to the entire front line.
The underrated forward’s ability to score decisive goals will be crucial, especially in close games where a clinical finish can make all the difference.
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