TOTTENHAM have little time to lick their wounds over arch-rivals Arsenal pinching Eberechi Eze from under noses.
A new No10 remains the target before the transfer deadline closes in a week, despite Thomas Frank’s excellent start to life as Spurs boss.
GettyThomas Frank has enjoyed a promising start to life as Tottenham boss[/caption]
Two wins out of two against Burnley and Manchester City do not mask the need for more creativity.
Especially with James Maddison, 28, out for most of the season with a serious knee injury.
And particularly when the hurly-burly of a busy campaign involving Champions League football kicks into gear next month.
SunSport takes a look at some of the options Spurs are believed to be considering.
Nico Paz
SPURS are believed to have had a bid of around £50m knocked back by Cesc Fabregas’ Como for this exciting 20-year-old.
Paz showed just why Tottenham like him with a man-of-the-match display in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Lazio. First, he supplied a brilliant assist for Tasos Douvikas’ opener, spinning round an opponent before sliding in an inch-perfect pass that split open the Lazio defence.
Then Paz curled home an exquisite free-kick with his wand of a left foot to wrap up the win with 18 minutes to go.
The problem for Tottenham is Real Madrid, who sold Paz to Como last year, appear keen on the signing him back in a year’s time so he may well stay where he is for now.
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Shutterstock EditorialNico Paz has impressed key figures at Spurs[/caption]
Boss Fabregas, formerly of Arsenal of course, said after the game: “I know that (Paz) is very happy at Como, he wants to be a top player.”
Likelihood: 2/5
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Maghnes Akliouche
MONACO’S midfield magician, full of tricks and flicks, is one possible solution.
The 23-year-old’s impressive ball manipulation on both feet at speed in theory would be a great fit with Spurs’ fleet-footed widemen.
Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert will know him well from the France Under-21s, while Eric Dier is now a team-mate at Monaco.
Akliouche is said to be available for around £60million – similar to what Tottenham were willing to spend on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eze.
While no deal is close at present, the Monaco man may be the most likely candidate to fill Spurs’ vacancy in attacking midfield.
Likelihood: 4/5
GettyMaghnes Akliouche was in action for Monaco at Lille over the weekend[/caption]
Bilal El Khannouss
A MOVE that would see Spurs go from hijacked to hijacker.
After losing out to Arsenal for Palace’s Eze, the option of pursuing the player the Eagles have targeted as Eze’s replacement appears to be there.
Spurs need only look back to their home defeat to Leicester last season in January for a reference on El Khannouss’ quality.
The Moroccan, 21, struck the Foxes’ second to complete an unlikely 2-1 turnaround, and was left out of Leicester’s 1-0 win at Charlton on Saturday.
But sources have played down the likelihood of Tottenham actually moving for the Championship star.
Likelihood: 2/5
Shutterstock EditorialBilal El Khannouss could leave Leicester before the end of the season[/caption]
Lucas Paqueta
LIKE East London buses, could two transfers from West Ham to Spurs come along at once, after an age without one?
Mohammed Kudus’ £55m switch from the Irons to Tottenham earlier this summer was the first since Scott Parker 11 years ago.
Following up the Ghanaian’s capture by landing Paqueta too would be a stunning turn of events.
Paqueta, finally past his spot-fixing charge hell, reminded the footballing world of his talent with a brilliant opener against Chelsea on Friday.
Sadly for West Ham, they ended up being pummelled 5-1 and already look in dire straits two games into the season.
Can they really afford to let go of such a talent when a possible fight for Prem survival looks on the cards this season?
Likelihood: 2/5
GettyLucas Paqueta could reunite with Mohammed Kudus at Tottenham[/caption]
Savinho
TECHNICALLY not a No10, but he could play there, provided Spurs stump up enough cash to persuade Man City to sell.
Pep Guardiola seems happy to keep the Brazilian, 21, whom they only brought in last season from sister club Troyes.
Savinho himself is believed to be open to the move. Coming to Spurs would give him regular game-time, and in the Champions League, in a World Cup year.
After the disappointments of Eze and Gibbs-White, this transfer would be one to get Spurs fans excited.
Spurs may well have to break their transfer record, currently set at £65m for Dominic Solanke last term, to land Savinho. But will they do it?
Likelihood: 3/5
GettySavinho has missed Man City’s first two games of the season[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
