Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is reportedly preparing for the possible arrival of Brentford forward Kevin Schade, as new co-sporting director Fabio Paratici works discreetly behind the scenes to secure a deal.
The 23-year-old German attacker has caught Tottenham’s attention after an impressive spell under Frank at Brentford, where his pace, technical skill, and work rate have made him one of the most exciting young forwards in the Premier League.
Schade’s journey in England began when Brentford signed him from SC Freiburg in January 2023, initially on loan before making the deal permanent for around £22 million.
Despite an injury-hit start that saw him miss most of his debut season due to a hip adductor problem, the forward bounced back in the 2024/25 campaign with a remarkable resurgence.
He scored 12 goals and registered three assists across all competitions, featuring in every Premier League match under Frank. His explosive form and consistent performances have since made him one of Brentford’s most valuable assets.
Now, as Tottenham look to reinforce their attacking options heading into 2026, Schade’s name has emerged as a prime target. According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Spurs are closely monitoring the German international, who is entering the final three years of his contract.
The familiarity between Frank and Schade from their time together at Brentford is seen as a major factor that could smooth negotiations. Frank, who managed the forward’s development during his time in West London, is said to know exactly how to get the best out of him.
Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown recently highlighted this connection, suggesting that Frank’s prior experience working with Schade could influence Tottenham’s transfer strategy.
“Kevin Schade is somebody the manager knows inside out,” Brown told Football Insider. “He understands his strengths and limitations perfectly. If Frank believes Schade can improve Tottenham’s attack, he’ll push for the club to sign him in January.”
That belief appears to be backed by new reports from CaughtOffside journalist Mark Brus, who revealed that Frank has “already planned how Schade would fit into the Tottenham system.”
According to Brus, Paratici is “working behind the scenes” to make the deal happen, and Spurs’ recruitment team view the Brentford star as the “perfect profile” to strengthen Frank’s attacking options.
However, completing the transfer will not be easy. Brentford, known for being tough negotiators, have reportedly placed a £48 million price tag on Schade as interest from North London grows.
Despite Tottenham’s admiration, they may hesitate to meet that valuation given their other priorities in the transfer market. Frank is currently dealing with a long list of injuries, including key players like Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, both expected to return soon. When they do, it could complicate Schade’s potential role in Tottenham’s attacking rotation.
Tottenham already boast a strong selection of wide players such as Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson, Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons, and Mohammed Kudus, with young talent Mikey Moore also set to return from his loan spell at Rangers. Nonetheless, Schade’s versatility, ability to play across the front line, and understanding of Frank’s tactical style make him a tempting addition for Spurs.
Schade’s current season with Brentford has been filled with standout performances. According to WhoScored, his top-rated matches include an 8.26 rating against West Ham in a 2-0 victory, an 8.00 in a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool, and another strong showing against Chelsea with a 7.35 rating.
His consistency and impact against big opponents have only strengthened Tottenham’s belief that he could thrive in North London under Frank’s guidance.
| Kevin Schade’s Top Performances (2025 Season) | Match | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham 0–2 Brentford | 8.26 | |
| Brentford 3–2 Liverpool | 8.00 | |
| Brentford 2–2 Chelsea | 7.35 | |
| Brentford 1–0 Aston Villa | 7.31 | |
| Brentford 3–1 Manchester United | 7.03 |
While Schade’s potential move gathers pace, Tottenham’s management team is also juggling other pressing transfer priorities.
With Richarlison’s future uncertain and Dominic Solanke struggling with fitness issues, Paratici and co-director Johan Lange are also assessing striker options. Names such as Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović have both been mentioned as potential targets.
Even so, the growing whispers around Schade suggest that Frank’s interest is genuine. His familiarity with the player, combined with Schade’s ability to stretch defenses and inject pace into Tottenham’s forward line, make the transfer an appealing proposition.
If Paratici can successfully negotiate a deal within the club’s budget, Spurs may well have their next exciting attacking signing lined up for 2026.
For now, Schade remains focused on Brentford, but the pull of reuniting with Frank and playing European football under one of the Premier League’s most progressive coaches could prove too strong to ignore.
Tottenham’s transfer window could be shaping up for another bold move and Schade may be right at the heart of it.
