Tottenham forced to accelerate January transfer plans after injury to key star

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Thomas Frank has admitted that Tottenham are in the market for a striker in the January transfer window after Richarlison picked up an injury. Spurs have already signed two players this month, but are not planning to stop there.

Frank’s squad has been bolstered by the £34million of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, while Souza, a 19-year-old left-back, is also poised to join in a £13m deal from Santos once he gets a work permit. But there remains a sense of urgency for Spurs, who have been left short in attacking positions due to injuries.

Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski are both sidelined currently, while Frank revealed on Thursday that Richarlison will be out for around seven weeks with a hamstring injury. Tottenham are blocking any outside interest in a loan move for Mathys Tel, who has been agitating for a move away, but further additions are needed.

“It is what it is. We need to deal with what we have. But of course, Villa brought a little bit more experience and quality on the pitch than we were able to do there. But hey, it is what it is,” Frank said, referring to the 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa in the FA Cup on the weekend.

“We are in the market, as I said many times, to see if we can improve the squad, but it needs to be something that we improve the squad, short and long term. It needs to be that decision.

“It can't only be for the next four months. We need to think bigger picture as well. But of course, we know that we are a few offensive players down in that aspect.”

There have been major changes confirmed behind the scenes at Spurs recently, with sporting director Fabio Paratici leaving next month to join Fiorentina and Rafi Moersen arriving from City Football Group to become director of football operations.

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Frank has also appointed former Liverpool coach and Ajax boss John Heitinga as his new assistant. The changes come with Spurs 14th in the Premier League and with just one win in the last seven games in all competitions.

“I'm very aware of how this football world works, no doubt about that,” Frank said when asked about the pressure he’s under. “I know that we haven't got enough of the result we want. I know, I can just see the small steps we're constantly taking.

“I still refer to the last six games with more positive, consistent performances. Not perfect, but there's some good signs of a team where we are talking about sometimes not being able to deal with enough setbacks and resilience.

“It's the offensive we need to do better. That's what we're working hard on. I think all the small steps we're doing, with everything from signing Conor, signing John Heitinga as assistant coach, excellent signing, Rafi as football operation officer, I think it's the correct title, but just a key member in the direction, how we want to do things. Everything is going forward.”

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