Why signing Malick Fofana could be Spurs’ answer to Vinicius Junior

The contrast to last summer couldn’t be greater at Tottenham Hotspur, with there a buzz around the club again following a bumper summer of business so far.

A year ago, the Lilywhites missed out on a string of top targets following their Europa League win, with the arrival of Thomas Frank in the dugout failing to inspire any sense of excitement or optimism.

Frank’s admission that Spurs ‘would lose games’ wasn’t the best way to kick off proceedings, although Roberto De Zerbi is cut from a different cloth, the Italian’s ambition so evident to see.

Indeed, he’s already suggested that the club’s transfer dealings are only “60% complete”, even after blowing rivals away to sign Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali. What could this team look like when the window is over?

Predicting Tottenham’s starting lineup for 2026/27

Starting with the goalkeeping ranks, Antonin Kinsky seemingly has the honour right now, the Czech youngster enjoying a real resurgence since that night in Madrid, as seen in his latest stellar save against Chelsea.

Ahead of him, Pedro Porro appears a shoo-in to start, having been described as the “best right-back in the world” by De Zerbi, with the doubts over Cristian Romero’s future likely to see Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi line up at centre-back.

That could well see a shift to left-back for Micky van de Ven, while in midfield, the £185m duo of Tonali and Fernandes are expected to start, fitness permitting.

With James Maddison still battling back to full fitness, and with Xavi Simons still sidelined, the more advanced midfield role could belong to Conor Gallagher, the 26-year-old previously thriving in that role at Chelsea in 2023/24.

It is the rest of the starting XI that offers the most intrigue, however, with the wait still on to see just who will be De Zerbi’s next ‘bomba’ signing at N17.

Manchester City’s Savinho is expected to be one of the new arrivals, the Brazilian in line to feature on the left flank, with the returning Mohammed Kudus operating on the opposite side.

As for the number nine berth, the woes of Dominic Solanke, coupled with the uncertainty over Richarlison’s future, might see Cody Gakpo brought in to plug that gap, even with the Dutchman not an orthodox striker.

That then might be the most realistic lineup for Spurs ahead of the upcoming campaign, but there are other names to throw into the mix.

How Spurs could sign their answer to Vinicius Junior

Spurs have certainly thrown their weight around by bringing the likes of Tonali and Fernandes into the fold, the north Londoners showcasing that they can be major players in the transfer market.

The aim, sooner rather than later, will be to close the gap on rivals Arsenal at the summit, albeit with the Gunners set to strengthen themselves amid interest in both Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Junior.

A deal for the Real Madrid man would send shockwaves across Europe, yet Spurs might have their eye on a sparkling attacking talent of their own, in the form of Lyon’s Malick Fofana.

According to reports, Tottenham have opened talks with Fofana’s camp regarding a potential summer move, having already seen a €26m (£23m) proposal rebuffed by the Ligue 1 side.

Personal terms are not expected to be a problem, as the 21-year-old is keen to move to north London, with Spurs now exploring the possibility of a deal.

Now, on the face of it, this may not appear a significant coup considering Fofana started only nine league games last season, scoring and assisting just three goals.

And yet, this is a player of sky-high potential, one whom youth football expert, Jacek Kulig, has even likened to the aforementioned Vini Jr, describing him as a 9.5/10 talent.

REUTERS/Phil Noble

An explosive, lightning-fast winger, it’s easy to see where that similarity stems from, with the youngster such a threat when bursting in behind a defence. Indeed, he ranked in the top 1% of wingers in Europe’s big five leagues for received through balls last season per 90.

The young Belgian also ranked in the top 7% for big chance involvement, representing his total involvement in clear goalscoring opportunities, while he also ranked in the top 12% for progressive carries per 90.

That record compares favourably to Vini Jr, the Brazilian ranking in the top 1% of progressive carries per 90, albeit while being recognised as one of the real wingers in the game.

Fofana isn’t there just yet, but he might well get there before too long, having also been hailed as ‘Eden Hazard-like’ with regard to the way in which he can bamboozle defenders.

Hazard, once of Lille, exploded onto the Premier League scene after joining Chelsea as a youngster back in 2012, with the hope being that his promising compatriot can enjoy a similar rise in north London.

Of course, Arsenal landing Vini Jr would take the biscuit, but Fofana might well be on a stellar trajectory in his own right.