Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for a busy January transfer window as Thomas Frank looks to steady the ship and lift the club out of a disappointing run of form.
Sitting in 14th place in the Premier League, Spurs have struggled for consistency, and there is a growing feeling among supporters that meaningful changes are needed across the squad. With pressure mounting, the club hierarchy appear ready to act, backing the manager with significant funds in an attempt to reshape the team.
One deal already close to completion is the arrival of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, a move that signals Tottenham’s intent to add energy and experience to the midfield.
Alongside that, the club are also working on strengthening other areas, with a left-sided attacker and a striker both on the shortlist. Owners ENIC are believed to have made up to £100 million available this month, underlining how seriously Spurs are taking this period.
Tottenham are also finalising a move for highly rated teenage left-back Souza from Santos in a deal worth around £13 million, subject to a medical. The Brazilian youngster is seen as one for the future, but the focus is not only on youth. There is also growing attention on a more unexpected position: goalkeeper.
Guglielmo Vicario has been Tottenham’s first-choice keeper for the past three seasons, with Antonin Kinsky arriving last January as backup. While Vicario has had strong moments, his position is no longer as secure as it once was.
Earlier this season, frustration from the stands became impossible to ignore when he was booed and sarcastically applauded by sections of the home crowd during a defeat to Fulham after a costly mistake led to a goal. That reaction clearly struck a nerve with Thomas Frank, who publicly defended his goalkeeper and criticised the fans for turning on a player during the match.
Frank made it clear that he expects unity when the team is on the pitch, stressing that criticism should wait until the final whistle. Still, the incident highlighted growing doubt around Vicario, and speculation has since followed that he could consider a return to Italy if Tottenham decide to move in a different direction.
That context makes the reported interest in Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar particularly interesting. Spurs are understood to have sent scouts to watch the 26-year-old this season, joining several other Premier League clubs who are monitoring his progress closely. Manchester United and Chelsea are also said to be tracking Svilar, making any potential deal highly competitive.
Svilar’s name may still be remembered by some fans for a high-profile mistake early in his career. As an 18-year-old playing for Benfica in the Champions League, he famously carried a free-kick into his own net against Manchester United, conceding the only goal of the game.
Despite the error, then-United manager Jose Mourinho was full of praise afterwards, insisting that only goalkeepers with real courage and quality make such decisions in the first place.
Mourinho described Svilar as a phenomenal talent, suggesting that Benfica either had their goalkeeper sorted for years or would one day sell him for a huge fee. Time has largely supported that view. Since moving to Roma, Svilar has grown into a calm and commanding presence, producing a series of strong performances over the last three and a half seasons.
His development has not gone unnoticed, and Roma moved quickly to secure his future by handing him a new contract last year. That deal runs until 2030, putting the Italian club in a strong negotiating position.
As a result, any club hoping to sign him will need to dig deep, with reports suggesting Roma would demand around €70 million, roughly £60 million, to even consider a sale.
For Tottenham, that is a significant investment, especially for a goalkeeper. However, it also reflects the level of ambition the club may be willing to show if they believe Svilar can be a long-term solution between the posts. At 26, he is entering his prime years and already has valuable experience at the top level.
If Spurs do decide to make a move, it would likely signal a major shift. Replacing Vicario would be a bold call, but one that could help reset the tone around the squad. With fan confidence fragile and results failing to improve, decisive action in key positions may be necessary.
January often brings risk as well as opportunity, but Tottenham appear ready to gamble in order to push forward. Whether that includes spending £60 million on a new goalkeeper remains to be seen, but the interest in Mile Svilar shows that no position is off the table as Spurs search for solutions to their current struggles.
