Tottenham are already putting plans in place to sign a goalscorer in January.
Roberto De Zerbi, who was drafted in to save Tottenham Hotspur from relegation last season, has been backed more than any other Spurs manager this summer, but they are showing few signs of progress.
The Lilywhites invested over £300m on signings in the summer to strengthen across the pitch. Despite that. Spurs have made a poor start to the season as they sit 17th in the league table. They have registered only two points from a possible 12, and Roberto De Zerbi will be desperate to turn things around in the third round of the Carabao Cup against Liverpool away on Tuesday.
Scoring goals continues to be a massive concern for Roberto De Zerbi, who played Omar Marmoush behind Dominic Solanke against Everton to get more attacking punch from his side. It didn’t work out, as Everton held Tottenham to a 0-0 draw. With Richarlison frozen out of the squad, Solanke’s injury record a concern and Marmoush more suited to a withdrawn role, it looks like the North Londoners would need to dip their toes in the January transfer window.
Tottenham plot January move for Freiburg marksman
Reports from August suggested that Tottenham were interested in signing Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic. Eventually, Spurs did not take any concrete steps to sign the big Croat, and he ended up staying at Freiburg.
Igor Matanovic joined Freiburg in an €8million deal from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2025 and went on to score 15 goals in all competitions. The centre-forward was a key part of the Freiburg side that had reached the Europa League final, only to lose 1-0 to Aston Villa. His strong debut season with Freiburg led to a World Cup call-up earlier this summer, where he made three appearances for Croatia.
The 6ft 5ins Matanovic’s incredible start to the campaign hasn’t gone unnoticed. He has netted three goals and supplied an assist in three league appearances, firing Freiburg to the summit of the Bundesliga table. This has brought Spurs back into the frame again.
According to a report from German outlet FussballNews, Tottenham have started closely monitoring Matanovic’s performances at Freiburg. However, they could face competition from Manchester United, who are also keeping tabs on the player.
Matanovic would offer De Zerbi’s Tottenham a different threat in the forward line. Due to his giant frame, leap, aerial prowess and strength, the Croatian international would offer a more physical box presence for the North London outfit, compared to Solanke and Marmoush. The report adds that the 23-year-old would cost €35m to €40m were he to depart Freiburg in January.
After enjoying a club-record summer spree and backing De Zerbi to the hilt, it will be intriguing to see if our key decision-makers in N17 decide to loosen the purse strings when the transfer window reopens.
