Tottenham have added Mohammed Kudus to their squad this summer, but the departure of Heung-min Son and long-term injury to James Maddison could force them to re-enter the transfer market.
Son’s transfer to LAFC was a blow, and has been followed by news of Maddison’s ACL injury that rules him out of most of the season. Mathys Tel has signed permanently from Bayern Munich, however Spurs will still need more firepower in the final third.
New manager Thomas Frank had previously suggested Spurs could cope without a specific replacement for Son, but left the door open for the right transfer target to arrive. And Maddison’s injury could add more urgency to that search.
James Maddison suffers injury during Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United in Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
However, Tottenham have already been blasted for their apparent reluctance to move for a ready-made replacement who will be available in the final weeks of the transfer market: Jack Grealish.
Troy Deeney calls Tottenham ‘daft’ for strange Jack Grealish transfer stance
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Watford striker Troy Deeney has discussed Tottenham’s sudden need for a number ten. He pointed to reports that Spurs have ruled out a move for Manchester City’s £100m outcast Jack Grealish, despite the England international being made available for a transfer and possessing plenty of elite experience.
Spurs are said to be reluctant to move for Grealish, but Deeney believes a move would be perfect for all parties. “I still think it’s a perfect landing spot for Jack Grealish. Personally, I think it’s a wonderful move,” he said.
“He’s played down Tottenham’s interest this week, but to me, that feels more like a Spurs thing. Whatever people want to say about Jack, he’s been at Man City, he’s used to winning, he knows the level, he knows the standards – and he’s an upgrade on everything they’ve got there.
“So the fact they’re hesitating now? I think it’s daft.”
Jack Grealish could still have plenty to offer Tottenham despite Man City struggles
Grealish was an integral part of Manchester City’s 2023 treble-winning campaign, but a series of recurrent injuries over the past two seasons have halted his progress and seen him play a fringe role for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Guardiola said Grealish must decide his future at the end of last season, admitting that he needed to play regularly, and the England wide-man was subsequently left out of City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad.
Season Games Goals Assists
2021/22 39 6 4
2022/23 50 5 11
2023/24 36 3 3
2024/25 32 3 5
Jack Grealish’s record at Manchester City in all competitions (source: TransferMarkt)
Everton are interested in a loan move for Grealish, while Spurs could represent another option for him. His statistics since joining City in 2021 for a then-British record transfer fee show the potential he can offer when playing every week, particularly when providing assists for others.
His high wages may represent an obstacle to any side wanting to sign Grealish, and a loan move could be the more likely option for a club like Spurs. Yet TBR Football understands Grealish’s Man City teammate James McAtee could be a more realistic target for Tottenham.
Whoever Frank and the Tottenham board go for, one thing is clear: they must bring in more creativity before the close of the window.