Tottenham Hotspur have been active in the summer transfer window, with Roberto De Zerbi overseeing a significant rebuild ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Spurs have already completed deals for defenders Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke, alongside goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka. Attention is now turning towards midfield and attacking reinforcements, with reported interest in Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes and Manchester City winger Savinho.
However, it is in the final third where Tottenham’s need for new signings is most urgent, following another inconsistent season in front of goal.
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Tottenham Hotspur’s Attacking Depth Issues
Spurs’ Attack in Numbers
Tottenham’s lack of consistent goalscoring has been a recurring issue across recent campaigns, with the 2025/26 season highlighting the problem once again. Richarlison finished as the club’s top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions, but availability remained an issue due to ongoing fitness problems that have affected much of his spell in north London.
Behind him, the output dropped sharply, as Micky van de Ven (seven), João Palhinha (seven), and Cristian Romero (six) were the next highest scorers, all from the back four or defensive midfield.
Dominic Solanke scored six times but missed close to five months of the season through injury, while Randal Kolo Muani managed just five goals during his loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain. Mathys Tel also added four goals, but Tottenham lacked a forward capable of delivering consistent double-digit output across the campaign.
Wide and attacking midfield options also failed to provide any significant numbers. Mohammed Kudus scored three goals before a season-ending injury in January, while Wilson Odobert added two before his own long-term setback.
Brennan Johnson contributed four goals before his departure in January, and Xavi Simons scored five before being ruled out for the remainder of the campaign in April.
With Spurs’ three strikers, Richarlison, Solanke and Kolo Muani, producing just 23 goals between them, and the wingers adding a further 13, the side were overly reliant on sporadic contributions rather than a consistent attacking focal point.
An Injury Crisis in Attack
Injuries played a major role in Tottenham’s attacking struggles, with availability issues affecting almost every forward option across the season. Only Tel remained consistently available throughout 2025/26, with all other attacking players missing at least four matches due to injury.
Solanke missed almost five months with fitness issues, while Richarlison spent seven games on the sidelines due to a hamstring issue.
Kolo Muani also missed early-season matches due to a muscular injury, disrupting his start in north London.
Kudus suffered a season-ending injury in January after missing earlier fixtures with minor knocks, while Odobert’s ACL injury in February ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Further issues compounded Tottenham’s problems, with James Maddison only returning in May from a serious knee injury that kept him out for most of the season. Dejan Kulusevski also missed the entirety of the 2025/26 campaign due to a knee injury sustained the previous year, leaving Spurs short of creativity in wide areas.
As a result, Tottenham frequently had to reshuffle attacking roles, often relying on makeshift solutions and players operating out of position, which further impacted any consistency in the forward areas.
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A Reshuffle Ahead of 2026/27
The forward areas are in need of urgent attention for De Zerbi’s side heading into the new season. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Spurs are interested in Savinho, although a deal for the Brazilian has yet to be agreed.
Spurs will be without Kolo Muani next season, with the Frenchman’s loan expiring at the end of the campaign, while striker Alejo Véliz is set to join Brazilian side Bahia. Winger Manor Solomon, who spent last season on loan at Villarreal, is also not part of De Zerbi’s plans, according to Alasdair Gold.
It remains to be seen whether De Zerbi will integrate any of Spurs’ younger attacking talents during pre-season. Striker Will Lankshear impressed on loan at Oxford United, while South Korean winger Yang Min-hyeok enjoyed a productive spell at Portsmouth but struggled for game time at Coventry City in the new year.
Winger Mikey Moore had an excellent loan spell in Scotland with Rangers and already has more than 20 first-team appearances for Spurs. The 18-year-old will be keen to push for a regular role in the coming seasons.
Striker Dane Scarlett is another option for De Zerbi, having made 27 first-team appearances to date, although he is yet to have a true breakthrough season in senior football despite making his senior debut in 2021.
Work to Do for De Zerbi
The Italian manager has plenty to address in Spurs’ forward line, and reinforcements will be vital to avoid a repeat of recent Premier League seasons.
With Simons and Odobert expected to miss much of 2026/27, and the fitness of Kudus and Kulusevski uncertain ahead of pre-season, Spurs will need to find reliable solutions in attack.
De Zerbi could hand opportunities to younger players who have been out on loan, but with limited Premier League experience across the group, relying heavily on youth would carry significant risk.
Signing Savinho would be a step in that direction, alongside ensuring Maddison, Solanke, and Richarlison maintain full fitness during the season. However, Spurs still have significant work to do in their attacking department this summer.
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Featured image courtesy of Imago/Depositphotos
