Sources: Tottenham want to sign £110m duo instead of Mbeumo as Levy set to give Frank huge budget
Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager Thomas Frank has shifted his transfer focus to Southampton’s rising star Tyler Dibling and Bournemouth’s dynamic forward Antoine Semenyo after conceding defeat in the pursuit of former Brentford charge Bryan Mbeumo.
Sources reveal the Danish tactician has identified these two Premier League talents as priority alternatives following Mbeumo’s clear preference for a Manchester United move, despite Spurs’ genuine interest in the Cameroonian winger.
The North London club have already secured their first major signing of the Frank era, converting Mathys Tel’s loan from Bayern Munich into a permanent £30 million deal.
However, the Europa League winners remain determined to strengthen their attacking options further, particularly on the right flank where Frank seeks additional creativity and goal threat.
While Mbeumo represented the ideal candidate given their shared history at Brentford, Tottenham’s recruitment team have moved swiftly to alternative targets as the 25-year-old edges closer to Old Trafford.
Tyler Dibling has emerged as a particularly intriguing option for Spurs. The Southampton winger, valued at £45 million by Tottenham despite Southampton’s £100 million price tag, represents the type of exciting young talent that could flourish under Frank’s guidance.
His performances for the Saints have showcased a rare combination of technical ability and directness that would add a new dimension to Tottenham’s attack.
Equally compelling is Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, though his acquisition would require a club-record fee exceeding £65 million.
The Cherries remain reluctant to lose another key player after already parting ways with Dean Huijsen and preparing to offload Milos Kerkez. Semenyo’s physicality and versatility make him an attractive proposition for a Spurs side looking to add different attacking profiles to their squad.
Frank’s appointment signals a new chapter for Tottenham, with chairman Daniel Levy reportedly backing his manager with substantial transfer funds.
The Danish coach faces the delicate task of refreshing the squad while maintaining the momentum from last season’s Europa League triumph – the club’s first major trophy in 17 years.
Captain Heung-min Son’s future remains uncertain as interest from Saudi Arabia persists. The South Korean icon, entering the final year of his £190,000-per-week contract, may see his role diminish should Tottenham secure additional attacking reinforcements.
Sources indicate any resolution regarding Son’s future will likely come later in the window, possibly after Tottenham’s pre-season clash with Newcastle United in South Korea.
Defensive reinforcements could also feature prominently in Spurs’ plans, particularly if Cristian Romero departs amid interest from Atletico Madrid.
The Argentine center-back is expected to make a definitive decision about his future before month’s end, potentially triggering Tottenham’s search for a high-caliber replacement.
Building on European Success
Frank inherits a squad that demonstrated its potential by conquering the Europa League but struggled for consistency in domestic competition.
The signings of Dibling or Semenyo would address a key weakness from last season – an overreliance on individual brilliance rather than systematic attacking patterns.
Both targets offer the versatility Frank craves, capable of operating as traditional wingers or drifting infield to overload central areas.
This tactical flexibility aligns perfectly with the manager’s preferred approach, which emphasizes fluid positional interchanges and quick transitions.
As pre-season preparations loom, Tottenham’s transfer activity will intensify. The coming weeks will reveal whether Frank can secure his preferred attacking targets and begin molding a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts.
With significant funds available and a clear vision from the new manager, Spurs fans can expect an ambitious summer of recruitment as the club looks to build on their European success and reestablish themselves as consistent top-four contenders.
The decisions made in this transfer window could define Frank’s early tenure at Tottenham Hotspur. While missing out on Mbeumo represents a setback, the potential acquisitions of Dibling and Semenyo demonstrate the club’s commitment to identifying and securing alternative targets of similar quality – a hallmark of well-run football clubs in the modern era.