Tottenham Hotspur fans are waiting for the first major signing of the Thomas Frank era -but so far the signals have not been promising.
Frank's most consistent and attractive players in the former club Brentford were Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard. Both were on the Radar of Tottenham when he took over, but Mbeumo goes to Manchester United and Norgaard is on his way to Arsenal.
Ebereechi Eze is currently the most exciting potential signing in sight (read our analysis about how it would fit with Spurs) … but there is a growing concern that Arsenal also pays a real threat to that deal.
As such, traces have to move faster.
Some players slid away
The club seems calm about the situation, but for supporters it evokes a well -known feeling that they still do not show enough ambition – even after ending their trophy dried with the Europa League.
Other interesting players have already left. Exciting attacker Rooney Bardghji chose Barcelona, while Rayan Cherki initially came to tempt but waited for a better offer and joined Manchester City.
In midfield, Angel Gomes turned away and signed for Marseille, while Johnny Cardoso stood in line but joins Atletico Madrid. Victor Froholdt, a Danish midfielder at FC Copenhagen, is also connected, but Eintracht Frankfurt is now after.
Spurs will officially suggest that there was only provisional interest in Brentford -Paar Mbeumo and Norgaard – but given that they are active on the market for a broad attacker and a midfielder, the missing of both is difficult to ignore.
Sources close to Spurs acknowledge that the early optic is far from ideal, but there is still a belief that Tottenham will do serious business.
Now the attention is concentrated on Eze, the clearest shot of a head marks. And it's time to make strong contact or run the risk of missing another one.
Spurs investigated other attacking options, including Mbeumo and Bournemouth's £ 65 million Rated Antoine Semenyo, but Eze is considered the most cost -effective of the three.
What is Eze's situation?
The Crystal Palace star has a release clause in its contract at £ 60 million, which can be paid in three episodes of £ 20 million, with an extra £ 8 million in bonuses. We understand that the clause is active and that the player is ready to listen to offers.
Eze's mix of flair, power and end product makes him one of the most attractive players in the market this summer. There have been suggestions that he would be open to a switch to Spurs, but the club has to make strong contact because he is interested in the potential of a switch to Arsenal.
The Gunners have in mind as a top change for Rodrygo (read about their endeavor here), while it is understood that Newcastle, Man City and Chelsea have also followed Eze.
Spurs are about to discover what their chances are to sign him, but interesting is that they keep looking at others in case they miss.
Sources confirm that Mohammed Kudus is interesting when he is looking for a step away from West Ham United. Moreover, Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig is one of the players offered to them, while Brighton Pair Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro are mentioned as attacking players of interest.
Tottenham announced this week: the Japanese defender Kota Takai of Kawasaki Frontale in a £ 5 million deal. It is a step in the right direction, but not the type of signing that increases expectations to where they should be.
Someone like Eze – or even Kudus or Simons – would be the poster boy of a new era under Frank. The question is whether Spurs get it done or miss it again.