With a week to go before the new Premier League season gets underway, Tottenham Hotspur are in a hurry to add to their forward ranks.
This has been a huge summer for the Lilywhites, who have broken their transfer record twice to improve their midfield options. However, ahead of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, Roberto De Zerbi’s side still lack a cutting edge.
Spurs are trying. Cody Gakpo and Savinho are the primary options but they would also like to sign a central striker before the window closes at the start of September.
Victor Osimhen is one target but they face competition from Arsenal for his signature.
Why Osimhen could be Spurs’ best striker since Harry Kane
Three years ago with Ange Postecoglou just a matter of weeks into his job, Spurs decided they would grant Harry Kane his exit.
It had been a long time in the making. For years it had looked as though he might leave but eventually, when Bayern Munich came calling, he took his leave.
Kane has been on a different planet since heading to Germany, scoring 146 goals in 147 appearances. At Spurs, the England captain bagged 280 times in 435 outings.
He’s one of the best strikers of his generation and replacing him was never going to be easy.
That said, very few could have expected the collapse Spurs would endure. Back to back 17th place finishes have been about more than just a failure to score goals regularly.
De Zerbi’s men will undoubtedly improve this term but they do need a striker to do that. Osimhen should be the number one choice. After all, alongside Kane, he has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe over the last five years.
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Osimhen vs Kane last five seasons |
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|---|---|---|
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Season |
Osimhen goals |
Kane goals |
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2021/22 |
18 |
25 |
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2022/23 |
31 |
32 |
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2023/24 |
17 |
44 |
|
2024/25 |
37 |
38 |
|
2025/26 |
22 |
61 |
The Nigerian centre-forward has scored over double figures in each of the last seven seasons. In each of the last five, he’s netted over 17 goals.
He’s a ruthless poacher, a powerhouse attacker who simply terrifies defenders. He’s in a totally different class to the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.
Sure, the former Napoli star may now be playing down a level in Turkey with Galatasaray but he’s still been electric in the Champions League. The 27-year-old scored seven goals in ten outings last term as he struck home against Liverpool and Juventus, as well as Ajax and Bodo/Glimt.
Unfortunately for De Zerbi, Arsenal are also at the table and Gala are unlikely to sell too cheaply. Alternatives will be required.
What Spurs could do if they don’t sign Osimhen
With a move for the Nigeria international looking all the more unlikely, it remains to be seen what Spurs do in the transfer market.
USA’s Folarin Balogun has been linked regularly with a move to north London over the last week and would be quite the signing, particularly considering his assocation with Arsenal. That said, after scoring three times at the World Cup, he’s a man in form.
Another option could well be Nicolas Jackson. Coincidentally, the Senegalese actually played alongside Kane at Bayern last term during a loan spell.
He beat the goalkeeper on 11 occasions in 34 matches but largely played second fiddle to the Spurs icon during his time in the Bundesliga.
Jackson is not to be sniffed at, though. According to RMC Sport in France, Tottenham are one of a number of sides showing an interest in the Chelsea man. Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid are also interested but any suitor will need to cough up around £60m to convince Xabi Alonso’s side to sell.
Why is he worth that £60m? Well, as, his agent Ali Barat said upon Jackson’s move to Bayern, he is “one of the best strikers in the world”. He may not be on the same level as Kane, nor is he on the same level as Osimhen. However, there are comparisons to be made with the latter.
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Nicolas Jackson vs Victor Osimhen: The similarities |
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|---|---|
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Attribute |
Key similarity |
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Explosive pace |
Both are quick strikers who can stretch defences by running in behind. |
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Attacking space |
Both are at their best when they can attack channels and exploit space behind defenders |
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Physicality |
Not just quick, both strikers are big physical presences. |
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Movement |
Both make diagonal movements from central areas into the channels rather than simply staying between the centre-backs. |
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Transition |
They’re particularly dangerous when their team wins the ball and can release them quickly. |
For years, Spurs didn’t exactly play in behind too much. Kane was someone who liked the ball to feet or was someone who would come short before playing the pass himself. He’s a ruthless yet selfless striker.
With Solanke up top, they have operated with more of a target man striker. He does not get in behind very much but does have clever moment inside the penalty area.
Jackson, therefore, could give Spurs something completely new. Like Osimhen, he’s got the speed to run in behind, he’s got the power to outmuscle most defenders.
Not just a scorer of goals – he netted 17 during his debut year at Chelsea – he will also make Tottenham a far more dangerous team on the counter. That will be music to the ears of any winger they sign this summer.
