As 2025 draws to a close, Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank will focus on improving his side in the January transfer window.
That much is clear. The London side have had a somewhat mixed record all year, and it’s fair to say they haven’t had a consistent run in the Premier League, especially at home, but they struggled in the Europa League before Ange Postecoglou’s exit, and a purple patch over the coming months will see Spurs fighting for a Champions League place within the league.
Of course, with many teams vying for leadership in this battle, Tottenham’s managers will need to hit the jackpot in the January transfer window, and many fans will be united in their need for a new centre-forward.
Spurs target center forward
Dominic Solanke has only played two games in the Premier League this season, both starting on the bench. Richarlison was No. 1 at number nine, but the crafty Brazilian’s only consistency was inconsistency. Randall Kolo Muani is starting to find liquidity after a tough start to his N17 loan period.
While many would argue that Tottenham’s priority should be midfield when assessing where to strengthen, others often point to the front of the ship when criticizing slow and laborious attacking efforts.
If Tottenham want to progress to the next level, they need to add a first-class goal scorer.
And Sam Agehowa might just be the perfect addition. Sources in Spain say ENIC Group has made the 21-year-old Porto star their top priority for the January transfer window and a formal offer is expected.
Sam has been a huge presence for the Portuguese La Liga giants since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2024. His employers do not want him to leave, but there is a release clause of €100m (equivalent to around £87m) to pay Spurs if their interest is strong enough.
Why Sam is perfect for Spurs
Sam has yet to test himself in the Premier League, but it is not far-fetched to say he has the qualities to be a mainstay in Tottenham’s front line and could spell the end of Kolo Muani’s costly arrival, who has failed to score or assist in 10 Premier League games.
To be fair, the 26-year-old has struggled on serve and although he did score twice in the 5-3 defeat to his employers Paris Saint-Germain, he has missed four big chances in the league and only completed 29% of his dribbles, according to Sofascore.
He will need to see more action soon, especially with Sam now in Spurs’ sights. The Spanish striker is on the fast track to superstardom and could become a mainstay at an exciting time for the north London club if he can be snapped up before more clubs show interest.
Samua of La Liga | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per match) | 24/25 | 25/26 |
Match (start) | 30(23) | 14(13) |
the goal | 19 | 9 |
assist | 3 | 1 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 2.7 (1.1) | 3.1 (1.9) |
missed a big opportunity | 18 | 6 |
Pass completed | 79% | 73% |
A big opportunity has arisen | 5 | 0 |
Key pass* | 0.6 | 0.3 |
dribble* | 0.4 | 1.1 |
Win a duel* | 3.3 | 3.5 |
Statistics by Sofascore | ||
It should be noted that Sam, who moved sparingly last season, is now dribbling frequently for a centre-forward. One of Kolo Muani’s strongest attributes is his speed and carry, but that doesn’t mean he is one-dimensional, with Les Bleus team-mate Kylian Mbappé hailing him as a “perfect” forward.
Sam may be his equal in that regard, and he’s still developing into an elite frontman.
This is not just a target man. Sam has the rare quality of being a towering talisman, contorting his body with incredible athleticism, as evidenced by his outrageous scissor kick in last season’s Europa League.
Furthermore, according to FBref, he ranks in the top 16% of his position-mates in La Liga for shot-creation actions and in the top 5% for take-ons per 90, underscoring his attacking dynamism.
The action that creates the shot is part of the play that leads to the shot. This includes the moment a pass, take-on, or foul is drawn.
Journalist Zach Lowy noted that he has the potential to become “one of Europe’s best strikers” and already maintains a clinical level comparable to most on the continent.
Will he be an upgrade over Kolo Muani? He certainly has more potential, and given that the Frenchman has waxed and waned in north London as a loan player, it is unlikely that ENIC Group will exercise the option to tie him up permanently unless his fortunes soar in the opening months of the campaign.
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