The winds of change are blowing through North London in a rather unexpected direction this week. Following a high-stakes Champions League victory that likely saved Thomas Frank’s job, Tottenham Hotspur is now engaging in transfer negotiations that have caught many fans and pundits off guard.
While the focus was expected to be on bolstering a depleted attack, the club has instead opened talks with West Ham United for a move involving Danish goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
This development is particularly surprising given the rivalry between the two clubs, but it highlights a specific tactical desire from the Spurs manager to shore up his options between the posts.
The timing of these negotiations follows a rollercoaster week for Thomas Frank. Only days ago, the atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was toxic. After a demoralizing defeat to West Ham, the home crowd was vocal in its frustration, with chants suggesting the manager’s time was up.
However, football is a game of quick turnarounds. A dominant 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday secured by goals from Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke has provided Frank with a much-needed “stay of execution.”
With the club now on the verge of the Champions League knockout rounds, the recruitment team is working behind the scenes to capitalize on this newfound momentum before the January window slams shut.
While the club has already successfully integrated Souza and Conor Gallagher, the squad remains thin in key areas. The injury list is a major concern, with Mohammed Kudus sidelined until at least late March and creative engines like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski still in the middle of their rehabilitation programs.
Furthermore, the departure of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace has left a glaring hole on the right wing. While rumors persist regarding a “surprise” move for West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville, it is the movement in the goalkeeping department that has become the most concrete story of the day.
The proposed deal is a somewhat bizarre loan swap. According to highly credible sources close to the Hammers, Tottenham is looking to bring in Mads Hermansen on loan until the end of the season.
In exchange, Spurs’ backup keeper Antonin Kinsky would head to East London on a similar temporary basis. Hermansen, who moved to West Ham from Leicester City last summer, has found himself playing second fiddle to Alphonse Areola.
Despite his lack of minutes recently, Thomas Frank is known to be a massive admirer of his Danish compatriot, believing his intelligence and style of play could push the squad to a higher level.
| Player Feature | Mads Hermansen (Target) | Guglielmo Vicario (Current) |
| Age | 25 | 29 |
| Nationality | Danish | Italian |
| Style | Athletic / Intelligent | Shot-stopper / Reactive |
| Experience | Championship/International | Serie A/Premier League |
| Key Strength | Decision-making | Reflexes |
The motivation behind this move seems to be a desire to provide genuine competition for Guglielmo Vicario. While the Italian has been a standout performer since his arrival, he has faced increasing scrutiny this season, particularly regarding his command of the area and his handling of high crosses. Hermansen, by contrast, has been described by former coaches as an “exceptional” and “intelligent” professional.
His former mentor, Casper Ankergren, has praised the 25-year-old for his advanced understanding of the game and his ability to make the right decisions under pressure.
For Hermansen, the move represents a vital opportunity to get his career back on track and secure a spot in Denmark’s World Cup squad. He is a modern keeper fast, athletic, and comfortable with the ball at his feet attributes that align perfectly with the high-pressing, possession-based system Frank wants to perfect at Spurs.
On the other side of the deal, West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is said to be a fan of Antonin Kinsky, the former Slavia Prague sensation who has struggled for game time in North London.
As the final days of the January window approach, this “out of nowhere” deal highlights the fluid nature of Tottenham’s recruitment strategy. While a goalkeeper might not have been at the top of the fans’ wishlist, the coaching staff clearly feels that stability at the back is the foundation needed to climb the Premier League table.
If Frank can secure Hermansen and perhaps add a late attacking reinforcement, the second half of the season could look much brighter than the first. The victory over Dortmund proved this team can compete with Europe’s best; now, they just need the depth to do it every weekend.
