adminTottenham Hotspur have been advised to consider an early move for Younes Ebnoutalib, despite concerns that the young striker is not yet ready to transform their attacking options.
European football expert Andy Brassell believes Spurs could take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding Eintracht Frankfurt to secure the Germany international at a potentially reduced price.
Ebnoutalib has enjoyed a remarkable rise in German football, earning his first two international caps under Jurgen Klopp last month following an impressive spell at club level. His progress has been particularly striking considering he was still playing in Germany’s fourth tier as recently as December 2024.
The forward joined Elversberg in January 2025 and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in the country. He scored 12 goals in 17 appearances at the beginning of last season, attracting attention with his impressive finishing and movement.
His performances eventually earned him a move to his hometown club, Eintracht Frankfurt, for a reported £6.9 million last December. Although injuries disrupted the early stages of his time at Frankfurt, Ebnoutalib has since shown signs of fulfilling his considerable potential.
His growing reputation has now attracted interest from clubs abroad, with Tottenham emerging as a potential destination.
Why Tottenham Could Move for Ebnoutalib
Spurs invested heavily in their squad during the summer transfer window after enduring a difficult previous campaign that left them fighting against Premier League relegation.
The North London club reportedly spent more than £200 million, bringing in Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United for £100 million, Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United for £85 million and Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52 million.
Despite those significant investments, Tottenham still appear short of options in attack. Will Lankshear has departed for Middlesbrough, while Richarlison has been left out of the senior squad.
Dominic Solanke has also struggled to make a consistent impact, scoring just once in the Premier League this season. Meanwhile, Omar Marmoush only recently ended his goal drought with a breakthrough on Monday.
With questions remaining over their attacking depth, Spurs could view Ebnoutalib as a long-term investment who might eventually become an important figure in their forward line.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Brassell praised the striker’s qualities but stressed that his lack of experience at the highest level means he should not be expected to deliver immediate results.
He said he particularly admired Ebnoutalib’s movement and finishing ability, describing him as an exciting prospect who still has plenty to learn.
Brassell also highlighted the possibility that Frankfurt’s changing leadership could create an opportunity for interested clubs to negotiate a more favourable deal.
Markus Krösche’s Departure Could Create an Opportunity
Eintracht Frankfurt’s sporting director, Markus Krösche, played a significant role in the club’s development after arriving in 2021.
Under his leadership, Frankfurt progressed from being an established Bundesliga side to winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League on multiple occasions.
The club also developed a reputation for identifying promising players, improving their performances and eventually selling them for substantial transfer fees.
Willian Pacho, Randal Kolo Muani, Hugo Ekitike and Omar Marmoush are among the players associated with Frankfurt’s successful recruitment and development strategy.
Ekitike, in particular, arrived at Frankfurt after struggling to establish himself at Paris Saint-Germain before rebuilding his reputation and earning recognition at the highest level. Marmoush also benefited from his time at the German club before making another significant career move.
Brassell believes Krösche’s departure could leave Frankfurt in a transitional period, potentially making negotiations easier for clubs hoping to recruit their emerging stars.
He explained that Krösche had developed a reputation for extracting maximum value from the club’s players, making it difficult for interested teams to secure favourable transfer agreements.
Without such an influential figure in charge, Tottenham could have a better chance of negotiating a deal for Ebnoutalib before his market value increases further.
Brassell also suggested that the change in leadership could prompt some players to reconsider whether Frankfurt remains the ideal environment for their continued development.
The German side had ambitions of becoming a recognised destination for elite young talents, similar to Borussia Dortmund or Monaco, where emerging stars could develop before moving to Europe’s biggest clubs.
However, the club has sometimes struggled to complete deals for highly rated prospects, raising questions about whether it can consistently attract the players needed to reach that next level.
Ebnoutalib May Not Be Ready to Transform Tottenham Yet
Despite his enthusiasm for the striker, Brassell made it clear that Tottenham should not expect Ebnoutalib to immediately solve their attacking problems.
The forward remains relatively inexperienced at the highest level, and there is still no guarantee that he will become a prolific Premier League goalscorer.
Brassell believes Ebnoutalib could eventually develop into an outstanding player, but he is not yet the finished article capable of taking Spurs to another level.
Nevertheless, he argued that the potential financial benefits of an early transfer could make the move worthwhile.
Tottenham could sign the youngster now, gradually introduce him to the first-team environment or send him out on loan to gain further experience before bringing him back into the squad.
Such an approach would allow Spurs to secure a promising talent before his value rises, rather than waiting until he has established himself as one of Europe’s leading young forwards.
Brassell pointed to Tottenham’s previous approach with Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic as an example of the type of long-term strategy the club could consider.
Ultimately, Ebnoutalib might not provide the immediate attacking improvement Tottenham need, but the combination of his potential, Frankfurt’s uncertain situation and the possibility of a favourable transfer fee could make him an attractive option.
For Spurs, the decision may come down to whether they are prepared to invest in a player for the future while continuing to search for more experienced attacking reinforcements who can make an immediate difference.
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