Tottenham’s struggles in the transfer market look set to continue, with fresh reports suggesting the club could face yet more disappointment after already being turned down by Antoine Semenyo.
Despite a clear shift in ambition following changes behind the scenes, Spurs are finding that wanting to spend more money does not automatically make them a more attractive destination for elite attacking talent.
There is a genuine desire at Tottenham to compete at the highest level again, and that includes offering stronger wages and paying higher transfer fees than in the past.
However, the reality of the market has been harsh. Several high-profile targets have either slipped through their fingers or outright rejected the idea of moving to North London, raising serious questions about the club’s pulling power right now.
The frustration began earlier with Morgan Gibbs-White. Tottenham believed they had done enough to bring the Nottingham Forest midfielder to the club after triggering his release clause during the summer.
In the end, the move collapsed, largely due to Forest’s refusal to cooperate and the legal tension that followed. While that situation was complicated, it still added to a growing sense that deals are not falling Spurs’ way.
The case of Eberechi Eze was far more damaging to Tottenham’s image. Spurs reached an agreement with Crystal Palace at club level and felt confident they were close to securing the player.
However, as soon as Arsenal showed serious interest, Eze wasted little time in turning his back on Tottenham. The ease with which that decision was made was telling and highlighted the challenge Spurs face when competing with rivals who are perceived to be further along in their projects.
An ambitious attempt to sign Savinho also failed to materialise, and the latest blow came when multiple reliable sources confirmed that Antoine Semenyo has no interest in joining Tottenham.
This rejection has reportedly sparked concerns inside the club, especially as Spurs continue to look at other attacking options across Europe.
Maghnes Akliouche and Yan Diomande are two names on Tottenham’s radar, but optimism around those deals appears to be low.
Transfer insider Dean Jones has suggested that Spurs are unlikely to land either player, let alone all three of their attacking targets. His assessment paints a worrying picture for a club trying to reshape its forward line.
According to Jones, Tottenham’s plans may be running ahead of their current status. He pointed out that a series of setbacks this year have already damaged momentum, from losing out on Eze to Arsenal, to failing to prise Gibbs-White away from Forest, and now being rejected by Semenyo.
In his view, more disappointments could follow, simply because Spurs are competing against clubs with far greater appeal.
Akliouche and Diomande are attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest sides, including the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. When faced with those options, it is difficult to imagine players choosing Tottenham instead.
Jones made it clear that Spurs are fishing in a very competitive pool, and without Champions League football or a strong recent track record, they are often coming up short.
That reality has forced Tottenham to rethink their approach and look for deals that are more achievable. One possible option is a renewed move for Savinho, who remains a player of interest.
Last summer, Savinho was open to the idea of joining Spurs, but Manchester City blocked the transfer. City were concerned about weakening their squad before securing a suitable replacement, with names like Rodrygo being mentioned at the time.
Since then, Savinho has continued to struggle for regular minutes under Pep Guardiola. From Tottenham’s perspective, the chance to offer him consistent playing time could be appealing to the player. The main obstacle, however, remains the transfer fee. Manchester City are unlikely to let him go cheaply, and Spurs would need to find a price that satisfies all parties.
Jones believes Savinho is more realistic than Tottenham’s other targets, even if the deal would still be difficult to complete. He praised Spurs for trying to push boundaries and aim higher, but also noted that their poor start to the season has not helped their cause. Tottenham are aware they need more cutting edge in attack, but they also know they must keep alternative options open if their first choices continue to say no.
Away from the wing positions, Tottenham have also been dealt another setback. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been linked with a move to Spurs, has reportedly been told by Crystal Palace that he will not be allowed to leave in January under any circumstances. Palace are keen to keep hold of the striker and are progressing with talks over a new contract, closing the door on any potential winter move.
There have also been eye-catching claims that Liverpool have made a £52.5 million offer for Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall. However, Spurs are not interested in selling the Swede and see him as a key part of their long-term plans, with an internal valuation said to be far higher.
All of this leaves Tottenham at a crossroads. The ambition is clear, but the market has exposed how difficult it is to turn intent into action. Until Spurs can convince top players that their project is worth buying into, the risk of further rejections will remain very real.
