Tottenham have endured a nightmare few days in the transfer market.
The club thought it had secured Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, only to see him head to fierce rivals Arsenal. The blow leaves Spurs scrambling for creativity in midfield. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are sidelined with injuries, while Yves Bissouma missed the Premier League opener.
A move for Morgan Gibbs-White collapsed earlier this summer. Supporters are fuming, with one saying the club now enters the final weeks of the window “reeking of desperation.” Another fan dismissed the saga, insisting: “If he’s an Arsenal man, we don’t want him.”
With less than two weeks left, Tottenham’s options are running thin. Yet several midfielders could provide the qualities manager Thomas Frank needs if Spurs act quickly.
What Spurs need in midfield
Any new signing must bring physical presence, secure ball carrying and strong passing. The player must also handle pressure deep in the pitch and remain composed. Spurs require a midfielder who fits seamlessly into Frank’s system while offering flexibility in attack.
Mikkel Damsgaard could be a ready-made solution
Brentford’s Danish midfielder stood out last season with two goals and ten assists. Damsgaard offered clever movement, dropping deep or drifting wide, forcing defenders into awkward choices. His sharp passing and direct through balls boosted Brentford’s attack, particularly Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo.
Off the ball, he pressed with intensity, intercepting high and embodying Frank’s philosophy. At just 25, Damsgaard combines Premier League experience with technical quality. His familiarity with Frank’s style makes him a natural fit for Tottenham’s midfield rebuild.
Bilal El Khannouss shows promise despite Leicester struggles
El Khannouss shone in a Leicester team that spent much of last season defending deep. Despite only scoring twice and assisting three times, his two-footed technical quality caught attention. He often dropped alongside defensive midfielders, helping build play with deceptive feints and progressive runs.
Though an attacking midfielder, El Khannouss drifted wide to cross effectively. He balanced creative play with measured tempo, offering flexibility across flanks. His main weakness lies in delayed shooting, which allows defenders to block attempts. Still, his powerful strike and set-piece ability make him dangerous from distance.
Maghnes Akliouche adds versatility from Monaco
The Frenchman recorded five goals and ten assists in Ligue 1 last season. Akliouche plays as a winger but often drifts centrally, carrying the ball over long distances with strength and flair. He excels in tight spaces with ball rolls and clever footwork.
Against compact defences, he drops deeper to link play, finding teammates with varied passing angles. Off the ball, he presses, tracks back, and makes dangerous runs behind defenders. His adaptability would suit Frank’s love of versatile attackers.
Among the candidates, Akliouche offers the strongest direct goal threat, though he comes from a more dominant league side.
Tyler Dibling shows signs of central creativity
The Southampton winger often played centrally last season. Dibling thrives under pressure, resisting close marking and using his strength to hold off challenges. He frequently dropped deeper, giving defenders passing options and creating space with clever feints.
Once turned, he carried the ball forward with pace and close control. His style suits central play more than the wing, where his crossing remains inconsistent. Down the middle, he shifts and shoots quickly, providing a different type of threat.
However, he prefers receiving the ball to feet rather than making off-the-ball runs, which could limit Frank’s system.
Fans vent frustration at Levy and failed deals
Daniel Levy’s leadership has brought progress but continues to frustrate supporters in the transfer market. Gibbs-White slipped away, and Eze’s collapse stings even more, especially with Arsenal stepping in. Critics argue Levy struggles to negotiate with Premier League rivals, who know his tactics and resist drawn-out talks.
Eze represented more than talent. His arrival would have sent a clear signal of ambition while denying Arsenal. Instead, Spurs now face a market that smells their desperation. Selling clubs know they hold the leverage.
Supporters divided on Tottenham’s failures
One fan called the saga “totally embarrassing,” furious that Arsenal closed the deal within hours. Another dismissed Eze’s pedigree, saying his past at QPR and Palace did not excite. Others mocked Tottenham’s approach, comparing it to penny-pinching that saves little but wastes time.
Some supporters struck a hopeful note. One insisted Spurs must move on quickly and focus on new targets. Another stressed that if Eze’s heart was not in joining, Tottenham avoided a bigger mistake.
While frustration grows, the club still has a chance to rescue its transfer window. But with time running out, Tottenham’s next move could define their season.
