Tottenham Hotspur are at the start of a new chapter, and Thomas Frank knows he must not only emulate his predecessor Ange Postecoglou in winning silverware at the Lilywhites helm but make significant gains in the Premier League too.
Last season’s Europa League champions juxtaposed their triumph with a dismal 17th-place finish in the league, and have thus completed a series of signings across the summer to compete in the Champions League and domestically too.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank celebrates after the match
But while the likes of Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus add much to Tottenham’s attacking fluency, Frank remains eager to sign a centre-forward before the window slams shut.
Spurs in late bid for new striker
According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have almost agreed personal terms with Randal Kolo Muani, who is being targeted on a loan deal with an option to buy.
Kolo Muani, 26, had been expected to sign for Juventus this month before issues between Paris Saint-Germain and the Italians ground that one to a halt, thus opening the door for Spurs.
Tottenham previously went in for the France international in January, but Juventus one the race there. It’s understood he would cost in excess of £50m to take away from Paris on a permanent basis.
What Kolo Muani would bring to Spurs
Kolo Muani is not just a dangerous presence in the final third but a high-speed and mobile forward, recognised by Les Bleus teammate Kylian Mbappe for his “complete” qualities.
Juventus loanee Randal Kolo Muani celebrates.
His half-season spent with Juventus led to ten goals and three assists across 22 games, ending what had turned out to be a miserable 18 months with PSG, leaving Eintracht Frankfurt for the Ligue 1 giants in September 2023 for a £76m fee.
But class is permanent, and his reliable nature and link-up ability at number nine suggests he could be Frank’s new version of Yoane Wissa, who is set to join Newcastle United from Brentford for £55m.
Having scored 19 goals in the Premier League last season, Wissa, 28, proved his worth and then some, and it must be exciting for Kolo Muani to consider how Frank could now raise the level of his own game.
Kolo Muani vs Wissa (past 365 days)
Stats (per 90)
Goals scored
0.48
0.57
Assists
0.11
0.10
Shots taken
2.45
2.76
Touches (att pen)
6.28
4.95
Shot-creating actions
2.34
1.99
Pass completion
70.2%
75.5%
Progressive passes
1.49
2.05
Progressive carries
1.54
1.82
Successful take-ons
1.54
0.44
Ball recoveries
2.24
2.42
Tackles + interceptions
1.28
0.94
Data via FBref
Wissa might be a more clinical goalscorer at this point in time, but Kolo Muani has more variation to his game, and indeed demonstrated in Turin his potential to score clinically, bagging eight Serie A goals across only 13 matches.
Skilful and tenacious, the Frenchman would be a fantastic addition for the Londoners, who already have solid options in the final third, but perhaps need that extra something.
Wissa has developed into a clinical shooter under Howe’s wing, and given Kolo Muani has a higher bar already, there’s no telling how high he will soar if welcomed to the spearhead of an exciting Tottenham project.