Paratici has already offered Frank the next Mbeumo in ‘incredible’ Spurs star

Heading into the transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur had a clear objective under new boss Thomas Frank: improve quality and depth in all areas of the pitch.

This was certainly achieved during the £100million-plus spending spree, with the hierarchy completing a deal in the region of £55million for winger Mohammed Kudus.

Much has been made around his transfer after joining rivals West Ham United, but it’s safe to say the Ghanaian has already warmed up to supporters in north London.

The 25-year-old has already opened his account for the Lilywhites, scoring the winner last time out against Leeds United – adding to his tally of four Premier League assists.

However, Frank’s team could have looked a lot different if they had made a move to one of their other targets instead of landing Kudus in the offseason.

How close Spurs were to signing Mbeumo this summer

After appointing Frank from Brentford over the summer, there were always going to be rumors about which players he would bring with him – but one stood out more than the rest in the form of Bryan Mbeumo.

The Cameroon international scored 20 times in the last Premier League campaign, with such form making him one of the hottest items in the recent transfer window.

At one stage it appeared that the Lilywhites had a real chance of signing the 26-year-old, and were even said to have made an offer for his services following the Dane’s appointment.

The player himself spoke about the 51-year-old’s appointment, wishing him the best in north London, which only fueled speculation about a possible move to follow his former manager across the capital.

However, that was not meant to be the case, as Manchester United completed a £71million transfer for Mbeumo, a figure far higher than the initial offer believed to have been made by the Lilywhites.

After joining the Red Devils, the Cameroonian claimed he only had his heart set on a move to United in the summer – subsequently dismissing any interest in following Frank.

Missing out on his signing will no doubt have been a disappointment for fans, but they shouldn’t have to worry, with a player already in their ranks already similar to Mbeumo.

The Spurs star who is Frank’s next Mbeumo

Fabio Paratici’s return this week will give fans further reason to be positive following their impressive start to the 2025/26 campaign under Frank’s stewardship.

He spent a few years in the role between 2021 and 2023 before stepping down, but has now returned to the club to fill the role of sporting director once again.

This will undoubtedly put him in charge of recruiting new players to contribute to the Dane’s early successes, while also overseeing those who may be let go.

However, he has already shown his tremendous work in the transfer market, conducting phenomenal deals to bring in Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus for just £25m.

The Swede would have been an unknown quantity to many in north London, but he has become a fan favorite thanks to his incredible performances before his recent injury setback.

He registered 10 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last campaign – the best return of his career – and certainly played a huge role in the club’s Europa League success.

Such is his level of quality that he has been labeled a similar player to Mbeumo by FBref – a huge statement considering the former Brentford star’s performances in 2024/25.

Comparing their respective stats over the same period, the Lilywhites gem has managed to outperform him in many key areas, with Kulusevski highlighting the quality he possesses when fit.

The former Juve star, described as “incredible” by Jay Harris, completed more progressive passes per 90 (4.7), subsequently recording more key passes per 90 (2.5).

Such numbers highlight the Swede’s creative nature, with such functionality adding massively to Frank’s side upon his return from his latest injury.

He also made more catches per 90 (1.4), while making more runs into the final third per 90 (2.5), highlighting his desire to transfer the ball into dangerous areas whenever possible.

There’s no denying that a deal for Mbeumo would have further strengthened Spurs’ first team, but ultimately it would have been a huge risk to pay such a fee after an impressive season.

In Kulusevski, the club boasts one of the most underrated players in the division, with the striker capable of taking his career to the next level under Frank in the years to come.