With less than two weeks to go before the new Premier League season kicks off, Tottenham Hotspur are facing a real race against time if they are to improve the attacking options at Ange Postecoglou’s disposal.
Interest in Feyenoord hitman Santiago Gimenez – who kick-started 2024/25 with a brace during the thrilling Johan Cruyff Shield victory over PSV Eindhoven – is yet to be stepped up.
HITC understands that Tottenham are, however, making progress in a potential deal for Dominic Solanke. There is a willingness to pay the £65 million clause in his AFC Bournemouth contract, albeit in instalments rather than one lump sum.
Still, the fact that Spurs have reached August with Richarlison and Heung-Min Son still their first choice number nines remains a cause for concern as time ticks away.
“Last year, we had to be a bit creative, it’s fair to say. If Harry (Kane) would have stayed I definitely would have used him!” manager Ange Postecoglou told Football London before Spurs’ 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in Korea.
It’s still the area of the park we’re really probably the thinnest when I talk about squad-wise at the moment. So, obviously, that’s a focus for us.”
Tottenham want a striker amid Dominic Solanke interest
Now, scarcely a window goes by without Jonathan David being mentioned somewhere down the line.
And this year is no different. HITC understands that the long-serving Lille poacher has emerged on the radars of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham themselves.
West Ham, The Sun claims, were willing to meet the Canada international’s £30 million asking price before pulling out and shifting their focus to Dortmund’s Niclas Fullkrug.
With The Hammers out of the picture, with Tottenham focused on Solanke, and Chelsea targeting Atletico’s Samu Omorodion, confidence is growing at Lille that David will be sticking around for at least another season.
“Everything is possible. There is a little less than a month left,” LOSC president Olivier Letang tells Le11 HDF. “Jonathan returned (from the Copa America) a little over a week ago. We are focused on the two upcoming matches.
“Jonathan is part of the team. The coach will decide who will play who will not, but he is at the club’s disposal for these two matches.”
£30m star likely to stay in France
Letang was speaking before Lille’s dramatic 2-1 win over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier. David started but was subbed off in the second half, 20 minutes before Edon Zhegrova’s stoppage time winner.
The 2021 Ligue 1 champions are under no pressure to cash in either, Letang claims, having already banked £52 million following the sale of Leny Yoro to Man United.
“Financially, we do not need to sell,” he adds. “We are a club with healthy management which allows us to be calm compared to a certain number of clubs. The Champions League is not vital for the club either.
“If you have a striker who scores 20-25 goals and who qualifies you for the Champions League the following season… In any case, there will be no departure if we are not able to replace him. The player is at the heart of the project, with the desire to perform.”
David joined Lille back in 2020 from Gent as a replacement for the Chelsea-linked Victor Osimhen. He has scored 84 goals in France, 26 of those coming last season.
