adminDespite having already spent over £200 million during the summer transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur are continuing to seek further squad reinforcements ahead of the 2026/27 season.
New arrivals Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have already bolstered the North London midfield, seemingly completing Roberto De Zerbi’s revamp in that area.
But the Italian manager has now turned his focus to other parts of the pitch—particularly the attacking line, which the 47-year-old appears eager to strengthen.
That pursuit comes as little surprise, given that one player in particular has failed to offer the steady, consistent presence required for success.
Why Spurs need to move on from Dominic Solanke this summer
When Tottenham’s hierarchy smashed their club transfer record to sign Dominic Solanke for £65m in the summer of 2024, fans were buzzing with anticipation.
Fast-forward two years, however, and the club appears to be scouting for a new top-tier striker, as the 28-year-old has struggled to live up to supporter expectations.
Solanke’s 2025/26 campaign in North London was plagued by injuries, limiting him to just 15 Premier League appearances, in which he found the net only three times.
That meant he missed 60% of Spurs’ top-flight matches—and his form after returning from fitness issues only reinforces why De Zerbi’s side needs another attacking option this window.
Upon his comeback, Solanke averaged fewer than one shot on target per game (0.8 per 90), a figure that ranks below 70% of players in his position. He also failed to serve as the effective focal point up front, winning just 30% of his aerial duels—a mark surpassed by 75% of other Premier League strikers.
Between his recurring injuries and underwhelming displays when available, it’s clear that Solanke cannot be relied upon as the club’s primary number nine throughout 2026/27.
How Spurs could upgrade on Solanke with a £43m star
This summer’s spending spree has signaled ENIC’s determination to turn Spurs into a genuine force next season, with no indication that the hierarchy is easing up in the transfer market.
Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen has been frequently linked with the Lilywhites, though a deal remains uncertain given his enormous wage expectations. But he isn’t the only name on the club’s radar—AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun has also emerged as a serious target.
According to Football Insider, De Zerbi’s team has been tracking the US international and could make a move before the window closes. The report adds that Balogun would be open to leaving Ligue 1 this summer, though no agreement for the 25-year-old is imminent.
Balogun, who joined Monaco for £25m in the summer of 2023, has enjoyed strong form in recent seasons, boosting his market value to approximately £43m. The former Arsenal man delivered impressive numbers last term—many of which outshine those of Spurs’ current striker Solanke.
The American scored 10 more league goals than Solanke last season and also turned heads with five Champions League strikes in just 10 appearances. Beyond his clinical finishing, his underlying metrics suggest he could be a better tactical fit for De Zerbi’s system.
Balogun averaged nearly twice as many shots on target per 90 (1.5), placing him above 80% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues. He has built a reputation as a superb penalty-box operator, with his poacher’s instincts fueling his impressive 2025/26 goal tally.
His 7.2 touches in the opposition box per 90 highlight his knack for being in the right place at the right time—a rate that outperforms 95% of fellow forwards—and is nearly double Solanke’s figure in the same category.
Spurs’ need for a new finisher has been glaringly obvious, and landing the Monaco star could finally end their search for a new number nine. While some fans might view replacing Solanke as harsh, it underlines both the manager’s and the board’s ambition to build a dominant force for the years ahead.
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