Tottenham’s transfer window: Promise for the future, but are they short now? (2024)

Ange Postecoglou sounded happy with Tottenham’s transfer business when he gave his press conference on the final afternoon of the window on Friday. Asked whether he felt backed by Spurs’ business this summer, Postecoglou gave a clear answer: yes.

Even though Spurs had a few more departures to organise when Postecoglou was speaking, he was clear that he was pleased with what Spurs had done this summer.

“You want to go into every window and come out the other side stronger, and I certainly feel that,” he said. “The players we’ve brought in are already making a short-term impact and even in the longer term, they’re going to be really good contributors for us. I think we’ve got a more well-rounded squad to deal with Europe, the extra games and whatever injuries we have. It’s been a real positive window.”

This was Postecoglou’s third window and while they did not bring in as many first-team players as they did last summer, he was pleased with the direction of travel. This summer Spurs moved on plenty of fringe players as well as bringing in a few teenagers to freshen up the group. Dominic Solanke is the only big-name senior arrival but they also added Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert and Lucas Bergvall who have first-team experience already.

“We’ve done a hell of a lot of work in 12 months, in the three windows,” he said. “The demographic of the squad has changed, the suitability to the football I want to play, we’re much better equipped for that.”

Last season Spurs narrowly missed out on a place in the Champions League and were eliminated early from both domestic cups. So have the club’s new-look recruitment team identified the players Postecoglou needs to continue his revolution? Is the squad deep enough to shoulder the burden of the extra matches that come with a return to the Europa League this season?

The Athletic breaks down Spurs’ window.

Was this window a success or a failure?

Spurs have craved a reliable presence up front since they sold their all-time top goalscorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich for €100million (£82m) last summer. Richarlison’s injury issues and lack of consistency have prevented him from filling that void, which is why the arrival of Solanke for a club-record fee of £65m has excited many among the fanbase.

Postecoglou has spoken glowingly about Solanke’s qualities in and out of possession while maintaining he was their top target. Solanke turns 27 in a couple of weeks so they should in theory benefit from the best years of his career.

Some supporters will be frustrated that they failed to sign Conor Gallagher or another senior midfielder, but the pre- and early-season form of Bergvall and Gray, both 18, suggests they may be ready to make a significant contribution in the season ahead.

Odobert was one of the only players to be relegated with Burnley last season who enhanced their reputation and he adds another dimension to a dangerous forward line. Spurs completed a smart piece of business for the future by snapping up Yang Min-hyuk from South Korean side Gangwon. He received his first call-up to South Korea’s senior side on Monday and will officially move to north London in January after the K League season finishes.

Tottenham’s starting XI is perhaps marginally stronger than at the beginning of the summer, and fringe players who had no future under Postecoglou have been sold with the money reinvested into other areas of the squad.

There may be more quality but depth could be an issue.

How much did they spend and how much did they bring in?

The deals for Solanke, Odobert, Gray and Bergvall total over £120m. It is the second summer in a row Spurs have spent heavily after splashing out £150m on players last year, including the permanent signings of previously on-loan Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski (this was, of course, offset by the sale of Kane).

This summer, they have managed to bank a decent amount of cash from players who do not fit Postecoglou’s style of play. It was a shame to see academy graduate Oliver Skipp leave but the £20m offer from Leicester City was too good to turn down, while €18m (£15.2m) is a respectable sum for Emerson Royal. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s move to Marseille was an initial loan with an obligation to buy, so that €20m (£16.8m) deal will be done next summer.

Who seems like the standout signing?

There is only one possible answer to this question and that is Solanke. After showing glimpses of his potential, last season Solanke finally blossomed into the elite all-round striker everybody thought he was destined to become when he was scoring for fun in Chelsea’s academy and winning tournaments with England’s youth teams. He scored 19 Premier League goals in 2023-24 — only Erling Haaland (27), Cole Palmer (22) and Alexander Isak (21) scored more.

During his debut at Leicester, there were signs he could be about to forge a formidable relationship with James Maddison. If the likes of Maddison and Son can regularly find Solanke in the box, then there is no reason why he cannot at least match last season’s goal tally.

Who could be the surprise package?

Odobert’s signing came out of nowhere and it was a shock to then see him start straight away in Tottenham’s 4-0 victory over Everton last Saturday. The 19-year-old’s electric performance in that game certainly hinted that, like Gray and Bergvall, he too could make an impact sooner rather than later. Odobert might have less experience than his rivals for the wide forward roles, including Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson, yet his dribbling ability will be an extremely useful weapon.

According to data from Opta, 36.2 per cent of his carries for Burnley in the Premier League last season were considered progressive — the highest proportion for any player in the division. The average distance of the France Under-21 international’s carries was impressive too at 7.9 metres — the fourth highest in the top flight. He will be an absolute nightmare for defenders to deal with.

Will any of the exits hurt them?

Hojbjerg was limited in possession but he had been a reliable performer over the last four years. He was never afraid to roll up his sleeves and charge into a few tackles when required.

The 28-year-old was a useful option to come off the bench last season when Tottenham’s young squad needed a bit of guidance. He could have fulfilled that function again with increased game time due to the Europa League but chose to join Marseille instead.

With Kane, Hojbjerg, Eric Dier and Hugo Lloris all leaving in the last year, it feels like this team is perhaps lacking experience and leadership.

Are there still any obvious gaps in the team?

If any members of Tottenham’s first-choice back four suffer a serious injury, they could be in big trouble. Radu Dragusin performed excellently for Romania at the European Championship and should be more than capable of providing cover for Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero, but Ben Davies is the fourth-choice centre-back. Davies is hard-working but cannot perform what Postecoglou expects from his defenders in possession and is ill-suited to a high line.

Gray can slot in at right-back if Porro needs a rest while Djed Spence is the likely candidate to replace Destiny Udogie on the opposite side. Spence’s talent is undeniable but, after a mixed couple of seasons out on loan at Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa, he will need time to adjust to the Premier League. Apart from Dragusin, none of the backup options seem perfect.

Yet Postecoglou is confident that Spurs are in a better position with their centre-backs now than they were last season. Asked whether he was tempted to sign another, with Dragusin effectively the only senior specialist back-up, the role Eric Dier had for the first half of last season, Postecoglou said no.

“I don’t think we’re in the same position,” he said. “I think Radu is a different proposition for us (from Dier last season). And certainly with Archie (Gray) coming into the group and Djed (Spence) probably not being in the plans initially, but now I think we’re in a much different position than we were last year.”

An injury to Guglielmo Vicario would also cause alarm. Tottenham’s back-up ‘keepers are veteran Fraser Forster and largely untested homegrown duo Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman.

What is their strongest XI now the window is shut?

4-3-3: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son.

The full list of ins and outs

In (fees include potential add-ons)
Dominic Solanke — £65million from Bournemouth
Archie Gray — £30m from Leeds United
Wilson Odobert — £30m from Burnley
Lucas Bergvall — £8.5m from Djurgarden
Yang Min-hyuk — Undisclosed from Gangwon

Out (fees include potential add-ons)
Oliver Skipp — £20m move to Leicester City
Emerson Royal — £15.2m move to AC Milan
Joe Rodon — £10m move to Leeds United
Giovani Lo Celso — move to Real Betis
Troy Parrott — £6.7m move to AZ Alkmaar
Tanguy Ndombele — released
Ryan Sessegnon — released
Japhet Tanganga — released
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg — loan to Marseille with obligation to buy
Bryan Gil — loan to Girona
Ashley Phillips — loan to Stoke City
Jamie Donley — loan to Leyton Orient
Dane Scarlett — loan to Oxford United
Alejo Veliz — loan to Sevilla
Manor Solomon — loan to Leeds United

(Top photos: Dominic Solanke by Catherine Ivill/AMA and Emerson Royal by Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto, both via Getty Images)