Tottenham considering ‘dream’ move for striker compared to Diego Costa after Frank request

Tottenham’s first transfer window, with their new revamped boardroom, will be very intriguing, and a striker is believed to be right at the top of their priority list.

Since replacing Ange Postecoglou in the summer, new manager Thomas Frank has lacked a reliable focal point up front.

Dominic Solanke, who Spurs signed last year for a club record fee of £65m, has struggled with injury problems which have limited his involvement to just 49 minutes so far this campaign. The Englishman suffered a “minor” ankle problem at the start of 25/26, which ultimately required surgery, and he is still on the comeback path.

Solanke is expected to miss this weekend’s crucial north London derby against Arsenal and will also be unavailable for their Champions League decider against PSG, with Frank forced to rely on the out-of-form Richarlison, who has attracted criticism for his inconsistency.

The Brazilian is set to start against PSG next week given Mathys Tel was not named in Frank’s 22-man Champions League squad. Tel, according to some reports, is ‘unhappy’ in London and keen to leave Spurs in January, with Roma showing serious interest in the Frenchman (La Gazzetta dello Sport).

Solanke’s fitness issues, Tel’s unhappiness and Richarlison’s form have fueled speculation that a new striker could arrive at the start of the year, and Spurs are linked with some interesting names.

Chief among them is Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who scored 20 Premier League goals during his best campaign at Brentford while working under Frank.

The tactician has apparently held “direct” discussions with Toney over a move to Spurs in January, according to some reports, while others believe the Lilywhites are in pole position to sign him at the start of the year after “preliminary” negotiations (TEAMtalk).

While links to the 29-year-old are numerous given his obvious connection to the Tottenham manager, co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange are considering other options.

Tottenham considering ‘dream’ move for FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa

FC Porto talisman Samu Aghehowa is a “dream” target for the club, according to TEAMtalk.

Sources believe the 21-year-old, who has already scored nine goals in 14 appearances this season, fits Frank’s long-term vision perfectly. The Spurs boss is also said to have “repeatedly” stressed his desire to have a mobile and physically imposing striker, capable of pressing aggressively and chaining the play together.

Insiders within Tottenham’s recruitment structure apparently view Aghehowa as the “younger, longer-term” striker successor they sincerely want, despite continued interest in Toney as a potential 2026 alternative.

Standing at 6ft 4in with surprising pace for his size, the Spaniard was even compared to former Chelsea star Diego Costa during his early years, thankfully not the version we saw at Wolves.

However, that being said, a decision in January seems very unlikely.

Portuguese sources claim Porto are refusing to accept winter offers, especially as they aim for a first Primeira Liga title in six years. President André Villas-Boas reportedly informed intermediaries that Samu was not for sale “at any price this winter”, which would cast major doubt on Spurs’ ability to withdraw him mid-season.

Porto have also set an asking price of £71million for Aghehowa, meaning the north Londoners may have to fork out a new record fee for the club. With that in mind, Frank and Lange will apparently continue to monitor Aghehowa’s development while retaining Toney as a backup option.

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Chelsea have already been “very close” to signing the striker, and he is a player with “enormous potential”.