The January transfer window is often a time of high-stakes drama and late-night negotiations, but for Tottenham Hotspur, it has become a race against time to save a season that has been defined by inconsistency. Under the guidance of Thomas Frank, Spurs have experienced a truly bizarre campaign.
On one hand, they recently secured a massive victory in Frankfurt to clinch a spot in the Champions League last 16. By finishing fourth in the new league phase structure, they have managed to avoid a grueling extra qualifying round—a small mercy given the long list of injuries currently plaguing the squad.
However, the mood back home in North London is far more somber. The team continues to struggle in the Premier League, and the frustration from the stands was palpable last weekend. As the players walked off the pitch following a lackluster draw against Burnley, the boos directed at Frank and his tactical choices were impossible to ignore.
While the ENIC Group has opened the checkbook this month to bring in reinforcements, it is becoming clear that the squad still lacks the balance needed to compete at the highest level.
So far this winter, Spurs have successfully added the tireless Conor Gallagher and the promising Brazilian left-back Souza to their ranks. While these signings have certainly added some much-needed energy and grit, they haven’t quite addressed the team’s biggest flaw: a lack of creativity in the build-up play.
Interestingly, Tottenham has been surprisingly efficient in front of goal this year. They have only missed 26 “big chances” while scoring 33 times in the league, proving that the strikers are doing their jobs when the ball actually reaches them. The real problem lies in the engine room, where the transition from defense to attack often feels sluggish and predictable.
To fix this, Tottenham has reportedly entered direct talks to hijack a deal for a player who could be even more impactful than Gallagher. The target is Bayern Munich’s seasoned midfielder Leon Goretzka.
The 30-year-old German international has found himself slightly lower in the pecking order under Vincent Kompany this season, and with his contract set to expire this summer, a move is looking increasingly likely. Atletico Madrid appeared to be the frontrunners for his signature, but Spurs are now moving aggressively to lure him to London instead.
Adding Goretzka would solve one of Tottenham’s most glaring issues: a lack of veteran leadership. With an average age of just 25.4 years, Spurs currently field the fourth-youngest squad in the Premier League.
While youth brings excitement, it often lacks the composure needed to navigate difficult patches of a game. Goretzka is a man who has seen it all. Since joining Bayern from Schalke in 2018, he has made nearly 300 appearances for the German giants, winning every major trophy available. Often described as a physical “machine” by his teammates, he possesses the raw power required to handle the legendary intensity of English football.
But Goretzka is much more than just a physical presence. He is a technical master who can unlock a defense with a single pass. His statistics this season in the Bundesliga are staggering, boasting a 92% pass success rate and a long-ball completion rate of over 72%.
When you compare these numbers to Gallagher or Joao Palhinha, the difference in playmaking ability is stark. While Gallagher is fantastic at winning the ball back and pressing high up the pitch, he isn’t naturally a deep-lying playmaker who breaks lines with his passing. Goretzka, on the other hand, thrives in that role.
If you look at the data from the 2025/26 campaign, the contrast between the two is clear. Goretzka averages significantly more touches and successful passes per 90 minutes than Gallagher. More importantly, he creates nearly double the number of chances.
By pairing Goretzka’s vision with Gallagher’s relentless work rate, Thomas Frank could finally create a midfield that protects the back four while providing the creative spark the attackers have been starving for. It would allow Spurs to move away from their current “predictable” style and become a much more dynamic threat.
| 2025/26 Season Stats (Per 90) | Conor Gallagher (La Liga) | Leon Goretzka (Bundesliga) |
| Touches | 68.7 | 89.3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 90.3% | 92.8% |
| Accurate Long Balls | 0.81 | 2.51 |
| Chances Created | 0.54 | 0.89 |
| Dribble Success Rate | 19% | 100% |
| Interceptions | 1.49 | 1.05 |
The logic behind this move is hard to argue with. Goretzka is at an age where he still has several years of top-level football left in his legs, and his experience in the Champions League would be invaluable for a young Spurs team heading into the knockout rounds.
He provides the flair and inventiveness that the team has lacked since the departure of their previous creative outlets. Hijacking this deal from Atletico Madrid wouldn’t just be a statement of intent from the ENIC Group; it would be a practical solution to a problem that has threatened to derail their entire season.
If Tottenham can finalize this deal before the window slams shut, they might just find the missing piece of the puzzle. A midfield duo of Goretzka and Gallagher offers the perfect blend of German efficiency and British grit.
It could be the catalyst that turns those frustrating draws into vital wins and gives the fans something to cheer about as they march into the business end of the season.
