Tottenham Hotspur settled into the Roberto De Zerbi era with a bang. It hasn't been a quiet time so far, let's put it that way. Then again, it never was Italian, right?
The vociferous manager is only a matter of months into his time with Spurs but in that time, he has kept them in the Premier League and helped them break their transfer record twice, first signing Mateus Fernandes and second, bringing Sandro Tonali to north London.
Next they made an effort to strengthen their front line. From AC Milan's Rafael Leao to Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi, De Zerbi and Co have picked some great players.
But, why are they needed? Well, it's safe to say that Tottenham weren't great in attack last season.
Why Spurs are looking at Leao and Kroupi
Three years ago, Ange Postecoglou had just been offered a job at Spurs. Although it all ended in tears for the Aussie, he entered London at a completely different time.
When he first arrived, he managed Harry Kane and Heung-min Son but that didn't last long. Kane was quickly sent to Bayern Munich where he cemented his reputation as one of the game's greatest goalscorers.
Tottenham were always going to struggle without him, of course, but nobody expected them to fall by the wayside the way they did. Going back to the 17th is done telling a sad story. Heung-min Son left last summer, as did Postecoglou. Then Thomas Frank left quickly and Igor Tudor followed.
It's been a perfect storm, not helped by injuries and poor performance. The defense has been disastrous at times but has had major problems in the final third.
Last season the list of top scorers in all competitions says it all. The much-maligned Richarlison finished the campaign with 11 goals, more than anyone else at the club.
Behind him sits Micky van de Ven and Joao Palhinha at 7 each. Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke are next in six.
|
Spurs – Premier League Top Scorers 25/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
The player |
Goals |
|
Richarlison |
11 |
|
Palhinha |
5 |
|
Romero |
4 |
|
Van de Ven |
4 |
|
The phone |
4 |
|
All of us |
3 |
|
Simmons |
2 |
|
Kudus |
2 |
|
Sarr |
2 |
|
Gray |
2 |
It's safe to say you won't finish in the top half or compete for major honors if you're relying on a bunch of defensive players to score your goals.
Because of this, De Zerbi's recruitment team plans to move forward with new players. Kroupi, who are valued at £90m, are said to be keen on the move and will make a huge offer. His tally of 13 goals in 2025/26 was the most by any youngster in his first Premier League season.
The experienced Leao may not have played in English football before but he has a habit of scoring regularly, netting more than ten goals in his last five seasons. Spurs have held talks with his camp about a move.
There is another move in the pipeline, however, and it's the likes of Leao and Kroupi.
Spurs have a £60m solution on the way
Kane and Son are both gone and it hasn't been the same since. No one would fill the former void. He is the best striker in the world right now.
The Son should have been a bit easier in the position given his age but they didn't and they almost paid the ultimate price; to be taken down. As a result, the arrival of players like Kroupi and Leao are needed. Some would call Omar Marmoush a necessity as well.
For much of this window, Spurs have been linked with a fellow Brazilian in the form of Savinho, but Marmoush will look to catch the eye judging by his performance levels over the past two seasons.
Scorer of 28 goals in 2024/25, the Egyptian knows where he is on the scoreboard and can make an impressive contribution.
TEAMtalk reports that Spurs and Newcastle have opened 'formal' talks with City to understand whether a transfer is possible and what it might take to lure him away from the Etihad.
A deal of up to £60m could be made. That wouldn't be a bad number at all, even if the 27-year-old struggled a bit last season.
Due to various reasons, including injuries and AFCON, 2025/26 was not Marmoush's best career. He started just eight league games and scored eight times in all competitions.
It wasn't a disaster but it raised the bar for the striker. Like those who came before him and tried to play second fiddle to Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland, he will eventually leave. Spurs represent a good fit when it comes out.
In many ways, he is similar to both Kroupi and Son mentioned above. As a pairing, he has the ability to play in multiple positions in the forward line.
He is a really athletic player, capable of playing as a central striker, on the flanks or as a second striker. Like Son, he is an incredibly direct player, ranking among the top 17% of similar players in Europe's top five leagues for driving efficiency per 90 minutes at 1.29 last term. Son, by comparison, averaged 1.23 in his final year with the Spurs.
As a pairing, Marmoush is a smart mover and a brutal finisher, and a regular opportunity provider. In that 2024/25 campaign, which saw him move to England midway through, he also provided 17 assists.
Quick, mobile, aggressive with his runs and clinical in front of goal from central and wide areas, Spurs could be killing two birds with one stone here; find a cheaper alternative to Kroupi and include Son.
