On the verge: Spurs target £67M powerhouse striker who’s even better than Solanke – opinion

Last season was a rollercoaster for Tottenham Hotspur. While missing out on the Champions League was disappointing, qualifying for the Europa League was still a commendable achievement.

With a year under his belt, manager Ange Postecoglou now aims to take the Lilywhites back to Europe’s elite competition in the 2024/25 season. To achieve this, Tottenham must bolster their squad with top-tier talent, especially a new striker.

Recently, Tottenham has been linked with Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke. While he would be a solid addition to the squad, another striker on their radar could prove to be an even better fit.

According to respected journalist Alasdair Gold, Tottenham is also considering Viktor Gyokeres, a player whose abilities could significantly enhance the team’s attacking prowess.

Viktor Gyokeres, currently playing for Sporting CP, has caught the attention of several top-flight clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool. Sporting CP is reportedly asking for a fee in the region of €80m (approximately £67m) for the Swedish international. While this might seem steep, Gyokeres’ incredible talent justifies the investment.

Both Solanke and Gyokeres would likely improve Tottenham’s attack, but a closer look at their statistics reveals a clear winner. In the previous season, Solanke scored 21 goals and provided four assists in 42 appearances, averaging a goal involvement every 1.68 games.

This is impressive, but Gyokeres’ numbers are even more remarkable. In 50 appearances for Sporting, he scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists, averaging a goal involvement every 0.86 games, or 1.16 goal involvements per match.

The comparison becomes even more one-sided when considering underlying metrics. While Solanke excels in progressive passes and aerial duels won per 90 minutes, Gyokeres outshines him in nearly every other category.

Dubbed a “powerhouse” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Gyokeres leads in non-penalty expected goals plus assists, actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, shot and goal-creating actions, and successful take-ons per 90 minutes.

Given Tottenham’s need for an out-and-out number nine, either Solanke or Gyokeres would be beneficial. However, if Daniel Levy and the Tottenham management aim to dramatically transform their frontline and increase their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, prioritizing the acquisition of Gyokeres is the way to go.

Ultimately, signing Dominic Solanke would likely see an improvement in Tottenham’s attack. However, Viktor Gyokeres has the potential to be a game-changer for the club. His superior goal-scoring record and impressive underlying metrics make him the ideal candidate to lead Tottenham’s frontline.

For Spurs to compete at the highest level and secure a return to the Champions League, Levy and Co should do everything in their power to bring Gyokeres to North London this summer.

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