With Tottenham seeing a second England international slip through their fingers in this transfer window, pressure is on Daniel Levy, Johan Lange and Co to deliver Thomas Frank a squad capable of 'competing on all fronts' as the Spurs chairman insisted following Ange Postecoglou's departure.
The Eze collapse
Following James Maddison's unfortunate Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, Spurs kicked into gear finding a replacement, and 27-year-old Eberechi Eze appeared the perfect fit to fill an empty hole in the number 10 position.
With two weeks worth of negotiations, Spurs appeared to find a formula to complete the transfer... for Arsenal.
🚨❤️🤍 BREAKING: Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, here we go! Verbal agreement in place between all parties.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2025
Crystal Palace to receive package in excess of £60m as Eze preferred #AFC over Spurs.
Arsenal win race over Tottenham, been in advanced talks for days but never sealed. pic.twitter.com/nUN2gXXjgY
Whilst Eze choosing boyhood club Arsenal as his preference cannot be argued, the gunners only re-engaged in a move for the Palace man once Kai Havertz sustained a knee injury of his own.
The contrast in the operating of the North London clubs could not be spelt out any clearer following the Eze saga, and if Daniel Levy does have the ambitions of winning the Premier League and Champions League as he proclaimed in a club interview this summer, Tottenham can no longer be reactive rather than proactive.
Who next?
Spurs have seen deals for both Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze fall apart, paired with long-term injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski that leaves a glaring empty role in Thomas Frank's squad.
Whilst its clear any arrivals won't have been first choice for the position, Tottenham have no choice but to find appropriate targets to support their new manager.
Links with Morgan Rogers have surfaced, however Aston Villa's willingness to part ways with the PFA Young Player of the Year would presumably be quite low given his continual growth in Unai Emery's side.
Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche, Como's Nico Paz, and Southampton's Tyler Dibling have all appeared in reports around Tottenham's hunt for a creative midfielder, although all would revert the clubs' approach of looking for more experienced players in their prime.
Interest in Dibling has been long-standing following his standout performances in a dismal Southampton side last season, however a move for the 19-year-old now would place an incredible amount of pressure on young shoulders to fill voids of collapsed deals for England internationals and ready-made players.
🚨| #Tottenham have made an approach for Tyler Dibling @MiguelDelaney pic.twitter.com/X2X6MyiGpD
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) August 21, 2025
There's also firm interest from Everton in the youngster, and whilst his upside seems promising, 2 goals and 1 assist in 33 Premier League appearances shows Dibling needs time and development, not to be thrown in the cauldron of fire that is Tottenham Hotspur right now.
A deal for Manchester City's Savinho has slowed, with Spurs' ambitious attempt to lure the Brazilian from Pep Guardiola not advancing currently as City appear unwilling to sell.
🚨⚪️ Tottenham have not stopped thinking about Savinho among top targets.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2025
City insist on blocking the deal in the last 10 days.
Spurs also made calls for Tyler Dibling with Everton leading… and Morgan Rogers but seen as almost impossible, unlikely.
🎥 https://t.co/fFtJTyR0Ro pic.twitter.com/mhnmcd5ptB
The arrival of Mohammed Kudus has shown early signs of being a success, but the loss of Son Heung-Min, Maddison and Kulusevski indefinitely leaves the attacking ranks arguably weaker than last season.
It felt a perfect opportunity for Tottenham to change their fortunes following the Europa League triumph, however history seems to have a way of repeating itself with previous deals for Paulo Dybala, Jack Grealish, Willian all certainly living strong in the memory of supporters as part of Daniel Levy's 'almost' collection.
With 12 days to go, Tottenham cannot afford to let the Eze and Gibbs-White calamities stand in the way of backing Thomas Frank, otherwise the Dane will join Pochettino, Mourinho, Conte, and Postecoglou as victims of underwhelming support from the higher powers.
