Tottenham are entering a crucial moment in their season, both on and off the pitch, as the January transfer window begins to move into view. With just a few weeks left before it opens, the club’s decision-makers are already assessing the squad and identifying the areas where reinforcements are urgently needed.
Thomas Frank, who has stepped into the toughest spell of his early Spurs career, is said to be pushing hard for new attacking options, especially with the team battling an injury crisis that has stretched the squad to its limit.
Frank now prepares for his first North London derby as Tottenham boss, and he does so in far from ideal circumstances. The club has not won a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium since 2011, and this weekend offers him a chance to rewrite that part of the club’s recent history.
He knows the scale of the task, though, as almost an entire starting XI remains on the sidelines due to long-term or recurring injuries. The situation has only made this derby feel even more tense than usual.
The list of absentees reads like a starting lineup on its own. Players such as Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Radu Dragusin, Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma, and Randal Kolo Muani are all unavailable or battling to return.
Maddison’s ACL injury will keep him out until next summer. Kulusevski is not expected back until late November, while Solanke is still recovering from ankle surgery and is unlikely to be involved against Arsenal. Several others, including Ben Davies, Archie Gray, Mohammed Kudus, and Kota Takai, are racing against time to prove their fitness.
There was additional concern when Pape Sarr limped off during Senegal’s friendly against Brazil, but his national team coach quickly reassured fans, explaining that the young midfielder simply felt discomfort after being hit and came off as a precaution.
Even with this positive update, the overall injury picture at Tottenham remains bleak, and Frank is left juggling limited options as he prepares for one of the biggest games of the season.
The injury situation has been a recurring theme at the club since the final year of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, and it has become obvious that Tottenham need more dependable depth.
With this in mind, the winter transfer window presents an important chance to strengthen the squad, especially in attacking areas where Spurs have lacked consistency and firepower.
During the summer, Tottenham tried and failed to sign Manchester City winger Savinho. Their interest in adding a wide forward never went away, and attention is now returning to a long-standing target whose name has repeatedly surfaced over the last few windows: Takefusa Kubo.
Kubo, the talented Japanese forward currently playing for Real Sociedad, has been linked with Spurs for several years. Reports even claim that Tottenham have made multiple attempts to sign him in the past, only to fall short each time.
However, for the first time, there appears to be genuine encouragement for Spurs. It is believed that Kubo is now open to a move to North London, especially with Sociedad struggling this season and hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone.
The 24-year-old’s contract includes a release clause of around £52 million, meaning Tottenham can bypass lengthy negotiations by triggering the clause and dealing directly with the player.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has described Kubo as a top-level talent who fits many of the qualities Thomas Frank wants in his attack. Kubo’s ability to beat defenders stands out he completed more successful take-ons per 90 minutes than any of his Real Sociedad teammates last season, and he also outperformed every Tottenham player in that metric during the same period.
Although he primarily plays on the right wing, Kubo’s versatility makes him even more appealing. He can operate as an attacking midfielder or even as a second striker, giving Tottenham an additional creative presence behind the main forward.
With Kudus in excellent form, Kubo would not necessarily walk straight into the starting XI, but his adaptability and technical skill would give Frank more solutions in games where Spurs have lacked ideas.
Beyond the tactical value, Kubo’s arrival would also bring commercial benefits. Tottenham have been without a major Asian superstar since Son Heung-min’s departure to LAFC in the summer.
Signing a player with Kubo’s reputation would help the club regain visibility in Asian markets, something their executives have long considered important for global growth.
For now, everything points to Tottenham keeping a very close eye on Kubo as January approaches. The club needs attacking reinforcements, the player is open to the move, and the release clause makes the deal straightforward.
Many coaches and insiders who have worked with Kubo believe he is destined to become a global star. If Spurs decide to move quickly, they may finally secure a player they have admired for years one who could become an essential part of their future.
