Quick Read
- Tottenham is struggling for goals under manager Thomas Frank, with their main strikers failing to impress this season.
- Spurs are pursuing Brentford’s Igor Thiago, who could cost a club-record £70 million, amid mounting pressure on Frank’s position.
- Reports suggest Tottenham may replace Frank with Xavi Hernández, but conflicting sources say his job is not immediately at risk.
- The club is facing an identity crisis, weighing continuity against radical change.
Tottenham’s Striker Search Intensifies Amid Frank’s Difficult Season
As 2025 draws to a close, Tottenham Hotspur finds itself at a crossroads. The North London club, once buoyed by a promising start under new manager Thomas Frank, is now grappling with a stubborn goal drought and growing uncertainty in the dugout. Frank, who swapped Brentford for Spurs last summer, is under mounting scrutiny as the team’s attacking options continue to falter.
Richarlison, the club’s leading No.9, has managed just seven goals in all competitions. Loanee Randal Kolo Muani has netted only two, while injury-prone Dominic Solanke failed to score in his brief appearances. For a club with Champions League ambitions, these numbers are sobering. The lack of firepower has left Frank searching for solutions – and, according to TEAMtalk, Spurs are now eyeing a record-breaking move for a new striker in the January transfer window.
Igor Thiago Emerges as Tottenham’s Top Target
Among the names floated, Brentford’s Igor Thiago stands out. The 24-year-old Brazilian has been one of the Premier League’s revelations this season, scoring 11 goals in 16 appearances – more than Tottenham’s three main strikers combined. His emergence has helped Brentford weather the absences of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, yet now Thiago himself is attracting attention from bigger clubs.
Spurs initially hoped to land Thiago for around £30 million, but the landscape has shifted. Brentford, not keen to part with their star mid-season, have reportedly set the asking price at a hefty £70 million, according to Brazilian journalist Felipe Silva. If Tottenham makes the leap, it would shatter the club’s transfer record – a sign of how desperate the situation has become.
The pursuit is complicated by Brentford’s reluctance to negotiate, and competition from other Premier League sides like Aston Villa and Newcastle. Yet, for Tottenham, the need for a proven scorer has never felt more urgent. The club’s transfer strategy, once measured, now seems reactive – a symptom of the pressure bearing down on Frank and his coaching staff.
Managerial Pressure Mounts: Frank’s Future in Doubt
Behind the scenes, the mood at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is tense. Frank, hailed for making Spurs more defensively resilient in the early weeks, now faces criticism as results and performances slide. The club has slipped into the bottom half of the Premier League table, fueling speculation about a potential change in leadership.
According to Football365, the Tottenham hierarchy is already considering alternatives, with Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola among those linked. But the most eye-catching rumor comes from Spanish outlet Fichajes: Spurs reportedly want to appoint Xavi Hernández, the former Barcelona boss, as part of a sweeping overhaul. Manchester United are also said to covet Xavi, making him one of the hottest managerial commodities in Europe.
The report suggests Spurs have “lost confidence” in Frank and see Xavi not as a stopgap, but as the architect of a long-term project. The board believes he could instill a clear philosophy and bring consistency to a team that has too often lacked direction. It’s an ambitious vision, but one fraught with risk – especially given the club’s recent managerial churn.
Conflicting Signals: Is Frank’s Job Really at Risk?
Amid swirling rumors, there’s a note of caution. BBC journalist Sami Mokbel insists that, despite the disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest, Frank’s position is not immediately under threat. The Tottenham hierarchy, Mokbel reports, is wary of a knee-jerk reaction and may prefer to let the situation play out a little longer.
This stance reflects the volatility of modern football management, where speculation often outpaces reality. Spurs are at a crossroads: stick with Frank and hope for a turnaround, or gamble on a new direction with a manager like Xavi. For now, the uncertainty hangs heavy over North London.
Tottenham’s Identity Crisis: More Than Just Goals
At its core, Tottenham’s current predicament is about more than just goals. It’s about identity. Frank was brought in to steady the ship, but as the season unfolds, the club finds itself questioning its trajectory. Do they double down on continuity, or embrace radical change? The answer will shape not just the January transfer window, but the club’s long-term future.
The pursuit of Igor Thiago and the flirtation with Xavi signal a willingness to invest and innovate, but also a recognition that the status quo isn’t working. For supporters, this is a familiar cycle: hope, frustration, and the tantalizing promise of something better just over the horizon. The coming weeks will be pivotal – for Frank, for Spurs, and for the Premier League’s ever-churning narrative.
Tottenham’s situation is a case study in the pressures facing top-flight clubs: the relentless demand for results, the temptation of big-name signings, and the constant search for stability in a world defined by uncertainty. Whether Frank survives or Spurs make a record-breaking transfer, the club’s next moves will speak volumes about its ambitions and its ability to adapt in a rapidly changing landscape.