The January transfer window is often described as a desperate scramble, but for Tottenham Hotspur, it has become a calculated mission to reinvent the team’s core.
Under the guidance of Thomas Frank, the club has already made significant waves by securing Conor Gallagher, a move that brings much-needed grit and experience to a midfield that has often looked soft.
Furthermore, the aggressive pursuit of Liverpool legend Andy Robertson shows a clear desire to inject a winner’s mentality into the dressing room.
However, despite these high-profile additions, a glaring issue remains: the attack has lacked a sharp, creative edge, especially with a staggering number of first-team forwards currently occupying the treatment room.
While the ENIC Group has signaled a willingness to open the checkbook, finding a “statement” attacker in mid-winter is a notoriously difficult task. Most elite European clubs are understandably reluctant to let their stars depart halfway through a campaign.
Yet, Tottenham’s recruitment team, led by Johan Lange, appears undeterred. The focus has now shifted toward a player who many believe could be the final piece of the puzzle a “deadly” playmaker capable of turning Spurs’ blunt offensive performances into a clinical threat.
The man at the center of this storm is Eintracht Frankfurt’s rising superstar, Can Uzun. At just 20 years old, the Turkish international has taken the Bundesliga by storm.
While Tottenham’s summer signing Xavi Simons has shown flashes of brilliance, the 22-year-old Dutchman has struggled with the consistency expected of a primary playmaker in the Premier League.
With James Maddison still sidelined and Dejan Kulusevski frequently utilized on the wing, the need for a central figure who can “make things happen” has reached a tipping point.
Uzun is not just a prospect; he is a statistical powerhouse. Reports suggest that Frankfurt has slapped a €80 million (approximately £69 million) price tag on the youngster. If Spurs meet this valuation, it would break their previous club transfer record, eclipsing the fee paid for striker Dominic Solanke.
While rivals like Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also monitoring the situation, the sheer scale of the financial commitment required might give Tottenham the inside track.
To understand why Thomas Frank is so keen on Uzun, one only needs to look at his output compared to current Spurs midfielder Xavi Simons. While Simons offers a more combative, defensive-minded approach in the middle of the park, Uzun is a pure offensive engine.
| League Statistics 2025/26 | Can Uzun (Frankfurt) | Xavi Simons (Tottenham) |
| Matches (Starts) | 13 (10) | 16 (11) |
| Goal Contributions (G+A) | 6 Goals + 3 Assists | 1 Goal + 3 Assists |
| Shots per Game (on target) | 2.0 (0.8) | 1.2 (0.3) |
| Big Chances Missed | 0 | 0 |
| Pass Accuracy | 83% | 82% |
| Chances Created per Game | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| Ball Recoveries per Game | 2.2 | 3.2 |
| Duel Success Rate | High Technical Balance | High Defensive Intensity |
The data paints a clear picture: Uzun is significantly more efficient in front of goal. Perhaps his most impressive statistic is having missed zero “big chances” in the Bundesliga this season.
In a league as physical and demanding as the English top flight, having a player who is “deadly” when given a clear sight of goal is an invaluable asset. Scouts have described him as a player who possesses a rare blend of grace and balance, allowing him to glide through tight spaces in the final third.
Analyst Ben Mattinson has labeled Uzun a “special prospect,” and talent scout Jacek Kulig has noted that the youngster has an “incredible future” ahead of him. The logic behind the move is simple: Frank wants to move away from a system that relies solely on industriousness and move toward one defined by “difference-makers.”
By bringing in Uzun to compete with or play alongside Simons, Tottenham would finally have the tactical flexibility to unlock deep-sitting defenses that have frustrated them throughout the first half of the season.
The strategy for the remainder of the window is clear. Tottenham will push hard to secure Uzun before the February deadline. If Frankfurt holds firm, the interest will almost certainly carry over into the summer.
However, with the injury crisis showing no signs of slowing down, the hierarchy in North London knows that waiting might be a risk they cannot afford. Securing a player of Uzun’s caliber would not just be a club-record transfer; it would be a signal to the rest of the league that Tottenham is ready to stop “flattering to deceive” and start winning.
