Tottenham Hotspur was once the home to numerous world-class forwards, but Thomas Frank won’t be able to call upon any of the former talents previously at the club.
Harry Kane will be remembered as one of the best attackers in the Lilywhites’ history, registering 280 goals during his spell in the first team, sitting at the top of their record goalscoring charts.
Gareth Bale was another talent who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his own spell in North London, producing numerous moments of magic that led to him scoring 72 times in over 200 outings.
Whilst both players brought in huge profits, leaving for a combined £168m, it has left the first-team with a lack of attacking quality over various stints in recent campaigns.
Frank will want to rectify such problems before the end of the summer window, with the Dane overseeing continuous work during the past few weeks.
Spurs’ hunt to land an Eze alternative this summer
Eberechi Eze has been one of the key targets for Spurs this summer, with their pursuit of the Englishman dragging out for the majority of the window.
However, despite agreeing a deal with Crystal Palace and the player himself, he won’t be moving to join the Lilywhites – subsequently accepting a proposal from Arsenal, with a medical planned for this weekend.
Missing out on such a talent will be a huge disappointment to the supporters, but the hierarchy have already moved on to other targets, in the form of Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the Lilywhites hierarchy made an approach to Unai Emery’s side over the last couple of days to understand further conditions around any move.
He also stated that a deal could be unlikely this window, especially considering his current outfit don’t want to sell him, but an £80m price tag has previously been mooted for his signature.
Why Spurs’ £80m target would be a better signing than Eze
James Maddison’s injury and Heung-min Son’s departure to join LAFC have left huge holes in the number ten and left-wing positions, something which Eze would’ve solved.
The 27-year-old often featured in both of the aforementioned roles at Selhurst Park last season, ending the 2024/25 Premier League campaign with 16 combined goals and assists.
He also scored the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, helping the Eagles claim their first ever major trophy – leading to major interest from Frank’s side.
However, given his pending move to join the Gunners, Eze will always remain a case of what could’ve been after being strongly linked with Frank’s side during the summer window.
Despite missing out on the attacker’s signature, the hierarchy can’t rest on their laurels, needing to act quickly to secure an alternative – something which they’ve evidently done by plotting a deal for Rogers.
He would be a more expensive addition for the hierarchy, but one that can still develop further in the years ahead, with the former Manchester City youngster just 23 years old.
When comparing his stats to those of Eze from last season, the Villa star managed more combined goals and assists, but also notched numerous higher tallies with his underlying figures.
Rogers, who’s been labelled “sensational” by Eduardo Hagn, completed more passes into the final third and the opposition area per 90 – having the creative ability to provide others around him with constant opportunities.
He also notched more progressive carries per 90 and more carries into the opposition third, able to drive forward into dangerous areas – having the tools to set up a teammate or even find the net himself.
Games played
37
34
Goals & assists
18
16
Progressive carries
3.6
2.4
Progressive passes
3.6
3.3
Passes into the final third
2.1
1.7
Passes into the opposition box
1.6
1.3
Carries into the final third
2.1
1.6
Goals per shot on target
0.4
0.2
Aerials won
20%
15%
His ability to produce an end product is evident by his higher tally of goal contributions, but also achieving a higher shot on target accuracy rate in the Premier League throughout 2024/25.
Seeing Eze pulling on the red of Arsenal will be a painful sight for Spurs supporters, especially considering the huge hunt for his signature in recent months.
A deal for Rogers will definitely soften the blow, potentially being a blessing in disguise, with the Lilywhites able to land a bigger talent should they complete a deal for the Villa sensation.