Why Spurs want to sign the “new Erling Haaland”

“There are not many better strikers in the Premier League than Dominic Solanke”. That’s the view of Tottenham Hotspur boss, Roberto De Zerbi, at least.

The injury-hit Englishman will be hoping for a fresh start in 2026/27 after two disrupted seasons in north London, the 28-year-old yet to replicate the form he showcased in his final year at former club Bournemouth.

Solanke scored 19 Premier League goals that season, and 21 in all competitions, yet he hasn’t got close to such heights in a Spurs shirt, scoring nine and three league goals, respectively, since then.

De Zerbi might be the man to get the former Cherries star back to his best, although Solanke may well have intense competition before too long, with Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen among those linked with a move to N17.

How Osimhen compared to Spurs strikers in 2025/26

As the wait for De Zerbi’s ‘bomba’ signing goes on, there have been suggestions that Osimhen might be that elusive, marquee addition, with reports indicating that personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue with the Nigerian sensation.

A move to the Premier League has felt like a long time coming for a man who previously spearheaded Napoli’s title charge in 2022/23, with the decision to head to Turkey instead in 2024 having come as something of a surprise.

To the surprise of no one, thought, the 27-year-old has been prolific since initially joining the Istanbul side on loan two years ago, scoring 59 goals in just 74 games in all competitions.

Last season, meanwhile, Osimhen scored seven goals in just ten Champions League outings, while also netting 15 times in just 19 Super Lig starts, amid his own fitness woes.

For comparison, Solanke, as noted, only scored three goals in his 11 top-flight starts, with the one-time Chelsea and Liverpool man scoring just three times in Europe, albeit from only three outings.

As for Richarlison – who has been tipped to leave the club this summer – the Brazilian did lead the way at Spurs with 11 league goals, although he only scored once in Tottenham’s Champions League run.

In truth, neither player is anywhere close to Osimhen’s level at his best, with there certainly wisdom in pursuing a deal. That said, he’s not the only striker under consideration, it would seem.

Spurs have made moves to sign Osimhen alternative

It feels like ENIC are a little late to the party – 2025 was the summer of the striker, guys.

Yes, Liverpool went big on Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, Arsenal splashed out on Viktor Gyokeres, while Chelsea snapped up Joao Pedro from De Zerbi’s former club Brighton.

There were many other centre-forward arrivals too, with Benjamin Sesko among them, the towering Slovenian heading to Manchester United on a £74m deal.

As per TEAMtalk, Sesko has actually now caught the interest of those at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Spurs having launched a ‘bold enquiry’ to figure out if a deal is possible, suggesting that talks have been held.

Both Bayern Munich and Barcelona appear to have done the same, although United’s position at present is that the 23-year-old is not for sale, while the player himself is not looking for a change.

The transfer window is a funny old beast, however, and if there were to be a change of heart at Old Trafford, Spurs should certainly be ready to pounce.

Hailed as the “new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig in the past, the 6 foot 5 marksman has enjoyed a similar rise to the Norwegian to date, starting out in his homeland, before ending up in England after spells in both Austria and Germany.

In Haaland’s case, the Manchester City man burst onto the scene at Molde before sealing a move to Red Bull Salzburg, scoring 29 in 27 games, prior to netting 86 in just 89 at Borussia Dortmund.

Sesko, it must be said, hasn’t been quite so prolific to date, but his record is still impressive, scoring 29 in 79 at Salzburg, before bagging 39 in 87 at RB Leipzig.

The major benefit he has over the aforementioned Osimhen too is that he’s flourished already in the Premier League, catching fire in 2026 following the departure of Ruben Amorim.

In all, Sesko scored 12 times in all competitions last season, ten of which came this calendar year, having notably ranked fourth in the division in terms of goals per 90, behind only Eli Junior Kroupi, Will Osula and Haaland himself.

Sesko’s 11 league goals also notably came in just 17 starts, while he missed just 12 ‘big chances’ and boasted an 18% goal conversion rate. In Osimhen’s case, the former Lille star missed 23 ‘big chances’, while recording just a 15% conversion rate.

He’s already proven he can score in the Premier League, unlike Osimhen, and from limited minutes too, with it exciting to consider what he could offer as a real leading man at N17.

To be able to poach him from Old Trafford would also represent a far bigger coup than taking Osimhen from Turkey, with the hope of weakening a rival a real bonus of this pursuit.

Of course, the Red Devils don’t appear willing sellers at this stage, although ENIC’s enquiry is another mark of their growing ambition this summer. Long may it continue.