Tottenham Hotspur could sanction the sale of Dominic Solanke in the January transfer window
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham rebuild could soon claim its first major casualty. According to reports from Football Insider, the Spurs boss is unconvinced by striker Dominic Solanke, who had been one of Ange Postecoglou’s most trusted players last season.
The word from Hotspur Way is that Frank doesn’t fancy the £65 million forward, whose injuries and inconsistent form have derailed his North London spell. Solanke made 45 appearances across all competitions last season and scored 16 goals, becoming Postecoglou’s first-choice No 9.
But under Frank, the 28-year-old has struggled to make any impact, featuring for just 49 minutes of football this term before undergoing ankle surgery. He has not played since Tottenham’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City in August, and there are growing indications that the club could now be open to cashing in on the England international in January.
Persistent Injuries and Tactical Concerns
Solanke’s story at Tottenham has been one of promise interrupted by bad luck. Since his move from Bournemouth in the summer of 2024, the striker has endured recurring ankle and knee issues that have limited his availability just when Spurs needed depth up front.
Thomas Frank, however, according to Football Insider (h/t BBC), appears ready to move on. While acknowledging Solanke’s quality when fit, the Dane is believed to want a forward better suited to his tactical system, one that relies heavily on mobility, pressing intensity, and link-up play between the lines.
Tottenham’s challenge, however, is timing. The January transfer window is rarely kind to clubs seeking top-tier strikers, and Spurs may struggle to find a suitable replacement mid-season. Frank’s current options are limited due to injury and poor form, forcing him to lean on squad versatility until the summer market opens.
January Options Limited but Long-Term Vision Clear
While Spurs would ideally like to bring in a new centre-forward in January, club insiders accept that striking a deal for the right profile of player could prove difficult. Unless an exceptional opportunity arises, the likely outcome is that Frank will persist with his existing squad and revisit attacking reinforcements at season’s end.
The emphasis, for now, will be on tactical adaptation, finding ways to maintain Tottenham’s attacking sharpness even without a fully fit No 9. It’s a pragmatic approach that mirrors Frank’s methodical leadership so far: patient, calculated, and focused on building a sustainable team rather than chasing short-term fixes.
From a Spurs perspective, it’s hard not to feel for Solanke. He arrived with promise, delivered in patches, and never shied away from the work rate expected in North London. But football moves fast, and Thomas Frank’s vision is clearly evolving.
If the manager believes a new striker is key to pushing Tottenham into genuine title contention, then the club’s willingness to sell makes sense. Solanke’s departure might sting for some fans who remember his early impact, but this could be a necessary step in building a sharper, fitter, and more flexible Spurs attack, one capable of turning near-misses into silverware.
