Tottenham Hotspur are entering a crucial phase of their season, and the pressure is growing as they prepare to face Sunderland on Sunday while searching for a much-needed spark.
Momentum has clearly dipped in North London following the controversial decision to sell Brennan Johnson, a player who played a major role in recent European success and was widely liked inside the dressing room.
The £35 million transfer has not gone down well with sections of the squad or the fanbase, especially given Johnson’s importance over the past year.
Johnson may not have been a favourite of new head coach Thomas Frank, but his output was hard to ignore. The 24-year-old finished the 2024/25 season as Tottenham’s top scorer across all competitions, finding the net 18 times.
Spurs paid close to £48 million to sign him back in 2023, so selling him for £35 million represents a clear financial loss. Beyond the numbers, his popularity among teammates has reportedly caused frustration internally, with some players questioning the timing and logic of the move.
With Johnson gone, attention has quickly shifted to how Tottenham plan to replace him. Frank and the recruitment team are actively scanning the market for attacking reinforcements who can lift performances and help steady a campaign that has started to wobble.
Spurs had hoped to land Antoine Semenyo before the New Year, but the winger chose a move to Manchester City instead, forcing Tottenham to rethink their plans. Savinho has since emerged as one of the names under serious consideration, with the Brazilian viewed as a possible option to add pace and unpredictability out wide.
Tottenham are expected to be among the more active clubs in the Premier League this window. ENIC injected around £100 million into the club late last year, giving Frank greater room to manoeuvre in the transfer market.
The manager has already made it clear that reinforcements are coming if the right opportunities present themselves. He has openly stated that Spurs will look to strengthen, but only if the additions are players who genuinely improve the team rather than simply adding numbers.
Frank has also acknowledged that changes could work both ways. New signings may arrive, but departures are also possible as he looks to shape a sharper, more balanced squad.
That approach has already been seen with Johnson’s exit, and it could continue as Tottenham try to find the right mix of creativity, energy and consistency.
Against that backdrop, reports have now emerged suggesting Tottenham are in serious discussions with West Ham United over a January move for Lucas Paquetá.
According to claims, talks between the two London clubs have reached an advanced stage, which would mark a bold and surprising development given the rivalry between the sides. Paquetá has long been admired by Spurs, and this is not the first time his name has appeared on their radar.
The 28-year-old Brazilian was strongly linked with a move away from West Ham in the summer of 2025, especially after he was cleared of spot-fixing allegations. Tottenham were among the clubs who made enquiries at that time, alongside Aston Villa, but no deal materialised.
Despite that, interest in Paquetá has not gone away, and Spurs are now said to have reopened discussions as they look to act quickly this month.
Paquetá is often described as a maverick type of player. He brings flair, confidence and a willingness to take risks, qualities Tottenham have sometimes lacked in tight matches.
At his best, he can unlock defences with clever passes, sharp movement and moments of individual brilliance. However, his time at West Ham has been mixed, with flashes of quality often overshadowed by inconsistency and the club’s struggles as a whole.
West Ham’s current situation could play into Tottenham’s hands. The Hammers are battling near the bottom of the table under Nuno Espírito Santo, and Paquetá’s chances of forcing his way into Brazil’s plans for the 2026 World Cup look slimmer if he stays where he is.
A move to Tottenham would offer him a fresh start, a different style of football, and a bigger platform to remind everyone of his talent.
Reports suggest West Ham may be willing to listen to offers of around £26 million for Paquetá, a figure that would be seen as affordable for Spurs given their recent cash injection.
If true, that valuation could make the deal very attractive, especially for a player with Premier League experience and international pedigree. For Tottenham, it would represent a statement signing and a clear attempt to replace Johnson with someone capable of influencing games immediately.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, and negotiations between rival clubs are rarely straightforward. Still, the idea of Paquetá pulling on a Tottenham shirt would certainly divide opinion and add plenty of drama to the January window.
As Spurs search for rhythm and direction under Thomas Frank, this potential deal highlights their determination to act decisively and reshape the squad before the season slips further away. Whether Paquetá is the answer remains to be seen, but it is clear that Tottenham are ready to make bold moves to get back on track.
