Tottenham Hotspur appear ready to stand firmly behind Thomas Frank as the January transfer window approaches, even though a section of the supporters has already begun questioning his position.
The club knows their biggest weakness right now is the defence, and they are ready to respond by targeting one of Serie A’s strongest centre-backs in an attempt to bring much-needed stability to a backline that has struggled badly in recent weeks.
At the start of Frank’s time in charge, Spurs looked organised, disciplined and confident without the ball. That early defensive strength has collapsed completely, with thirteen goals conceded in just four matches.
Tottenham’s confidence took a major hit during that run, particularly when they allowed four goals against Arsenal and five against PSG. More worrying than the number of goals has been the nature of the mistakes.
Errors from senior players such as Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario have left Frank frustrated, especially as he relies heavily on his experienced core to set standards for the rest of the squad.
With the team clearly losing its defensive shape and composure, Tottenham have now turned their attention to Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, a player admired for his strength, leadership and dominance in the air.
Reports in Italy first mentioned Spurs’ interest, and that has now been backed up by new claims suggesting that defensive reinforcements have become the club’s main objective for January.
Sporting director Fabio Paratici is said to be pushing especially hard to secure Bremer, believing the Brazilian could transform the stability of the backline.
Bremer, at 28, is in the prime of his career and has earned a strong reputation in Serie A for his consistency and powerful defending. According to Italian outlet Tutto Juve, the Brazilian could be available for around €40m, a surprisingly modest figure for a player of his pedigree who remains under contract until 2028.
However, other sources, including CaughtOffside, believe Juventus will demand more than £52m to let him go. With top clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea also monitoring the situation, Juve are expected to hold out for what they describe as an “irresistible” offer before agreeing to a sale.
There is no doubt that Bremer would be a major upgrade for Tottenham and a signing that would send a strong message about the club’s ambition. But his arrival would also raise tough questions about how Frank intends to set up his defence in the long term.
A back three could accommodate Romero, Micky van de Ven and Bremer, but if Frank sticks with a back four, only two of the three can start. Van de Ven has been outstanding and is viewed by many as undroppable, while Romero is not only a starter but also the captain. That leaves little room for a new arrival unless a deeper strategy is at play.
Some fans have begun to question whether Tottenham are preparing for the future in a different way. Both Van de Ven and Romero have been linked to Real Madrid, although neither appears close to leaving.
In fact, Van de Ven is expected to sign a new deal soon, while Romero committed his future to the club only a few months ago. Tottenham also have big plans for Luka Vuskovic, the talented young Croatian centre-back currently on loan at Hamburg.
At 18, he has already created a buzz in Germany, and Frank had even considered keeping him in the squad this season before deciding that a loan would benefit his development more.
There are now whispers that some European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, are watching Vuskovic closely. But Tottenham view him as a long-term cornerstone of their defence and are determined to keep him.
Because of that, the club’s renewed interest in Bremer could simply be a case of exploring opportunities rather than committing fully to a deal. Still, if Juventus were to soften their stance and allow negotiations to move forward, Spurs know that passing up a defender of Bremer’s level would be difficult.
Meanwhile, questions continue to surround other areas of the squad. There has been talk about Tottenham assessing their options with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario after his recent errors, but the club’s true opinion on upgrading the position has now been revealed, suggesting they are not panicking.
Thomas Frank has also reacted strongly to Spurs fans who booed Vicario after his mistake against Fulham, insisting the goalkeeper deserves respect and support.
Elsewhere, it is understood that Tottenham do not plan to entertain loan offers for Richarlison in January. The Brazilian has had a mixed spell at the club but remains an important part of Frank’s plans.
And although Manchester United legend Paul Scholes recently warned against signing Carlos Baleba, fresh reports claim that Tottenham are preparing a long-term move for the Brighton midfielder, possibly in 2026, with the aim of adding more power and quality to Frank’s squad.
Everything points to a crucial January window for Tottenham. The defence needs reinforcement, the fan base needs reassurance, and Thomas Frank needs a show of faith from the club.
Whether Bremer becomes the headline signing or not, one thing is clear: Spurs know they must act decisively if they want to rebuild confidence and get their season back on track.
