Tottenham Hotspur are once again at a crossroads, and the January transfer window is offering them a chance to correct a pattern that has hurt the club for several seasons. It is fair to say the current squad looks pieced together rather than carefully built, with flashes of quality mixed in with clear gaps.
Thomas Frank has inherited a group with talent, but also one that lacks balance, consistency, and a clear identity in key areas. After finishing a worrying 17th in the Premier League last season and sitting around 14th this year, Spurs know this cycle cannot continue.
The club’s ownership has started to act. The sale of Brennan Johnson earlier this window was a clear signal that Tottenham are willing to make tough decisions. Johnson may have scored a famous Europa League final winner, but his overall impact in the league never truly matched expectations.
Moving him on was less about one moment and more about reshaping the squad to suit a clearer vision. However, that decision alone does not solve Tottenham’s biggest issue in the final third.
Creativity has been a problem at times, but goals have been an even bigger concern. Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, and Randal Kolo Muani have all been used as central forwards, yet none have truly locked down the number nine role.
Each offers something different, but together they have not delivered the reliability Spurs need. What Tottenham lack is a striker with presence, hunger, and the ability to lead the line with authority.
This is where Thomas Frank’s past comes into focus. At Brentford, he took Ivan Toney and turned him into one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League. Toney was strong, intelligent, and ruthless, but he was also refined under Frank’s guidance.
Tottenham now appear keen to find a similar profile, someone with raw tools who can be shaped into a complete forward under Frank’s methods.
According to reports, Spurs have entered the race for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Norwegian has not enjoyed the easiest season, and his goal return has been modest, but context matters.
Wolves have struggled badly as a team, and their overall decline has affected every attacker at the club. Despite this, Strand Larsen remains highly regarded around the league, with Tottenham among several clubs offered the chance to sign him.
Newcastle United are also interested and previously saw a £50 million bid turned down. However, circumstances have changed. Wolves are now believed to be open to selling for around £40 million, a fee that suddenly makes the deal far more realistic. For Tottenham, whose need for a striker is immediate, this could be a key advantage.
What makes this potential move intriguing is Strand Larsen’s underlying quality. Even in a struggling side, he has shown traits that suit the Premier League. Last season, when Wolves were more competitive, he scored 14 league goals and proved he could handle the physical demands of English football.
His size and strength make him difficult to play against, but he is not just a target man. He links play well, brings others into the game, and has a sharp instinct in the box.
Statistically, he stands out in ways that matter. In the previous campaign, he was among the most accurate shooters in the league, a crucial detail for a Tottenham side that often creates chances without finishing them. He also averaged a solid number of chances created per match, showing he can contribute beyond scoring. These are qualities that Thomas Frank values deeply in a central striker.
The comparison with Ivan Toney is not accidental. Like Toney, Strand Larsen combines physical power with intelligence. He can occupy defenders, drop deep when needed, and still arrive in the box at the right moment.
Toney was once described as having similarities to Harry Kane in how he connects the attack while remaining deadly in front of goal. Frank understands how to build a system around this type of striker, and Tottenham could benefit greatly if he can repeat that success.
There will naturally be doubts. Strand Larsen has only one Premier League goal this season, and some supporters may question spending £40 million on a forward struggling for form. But football is rarely that simple. Players do not exist in isolation, and Wolves’ poor season has limited his service and confidence. A move to Tottenham, where he would be trusted as a central figure rather than a peripheral one, could transform his output.
Given the right role, clear instructions, and belief from the manager, Strand Larsen could thrive. Tottenham have been searching for a reliable focal point in attack for years.
If Thomas Frank sees in him the same potential he once saw in Ivan Toney, this signing could mark a turning point. It would not just be another transfer, but a statement that Spurs are finally building with purpose, aiming for progress rather than patchwork solutions.
