Spurs have a £68m striker signing in their sights

There we have it. Tottenham‘s pre-season preparations are done.

What did we learn? Well, Spurs look far better equipped to deal with the rigours of the Premier League this time around. Defensively they look more organised, there’s more punch and bite to the midfield and Roberto De Zerbi has them playing a more progressive style of football.

Supporters are excited, perhaps for the first time since Harry Kane left. His departure coincided with the club’s downfall. They have not been the same since but they are finally starting to emerge from the rubble that has decimated the Lilywhites in recent years.

Speaking of Kane, finally replacing him arguably remains the final piece of the puzzle this summer.

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With 280 goals for Spurs to his name, replacing Kane feels like an impossible task. The simple fact is that you are not going to replace someone with that level of output easily.

Ange Postecoglou made attempts to do so by bringing in Dominic Solanke and while he was never expected to live up to the same heights, he has been rather underwhelming since trading Bournemouth for Spurs.

During an injury-hit campaign in 2025/26, the Englishman scored just six goals in 20 games. It’s not awful but it’s not brilliant either. Spurs need an upgrade.

The Lilywhites have several targets in mind. One of the game’s elite strikers in Victor Osimhen has been linked with a move to Spurs in recent weeks but he is also attracting the interest of Premier League champions Arsenal. If you are looking for a player capable of getting close to Kane’s output, he is your man. In three of his last four campaigns, the Nigerian has enjoyed seasons in which he has scored over 20 goals.

That said, he feels rather unattainable, particularly in comparison to another target Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, who is available for just £60m as he seeks an escape route out of Stamford Bridge.

The scorer of 17 goals during his debut year in England, he’s a proven Premier League player and that’s something De Zerbi values immensely.

Then there is also the USA’s Folarin Balogun. For Monaco and his national team, the striker has been deadly over the last year and would represent a smart addition. Talks have reportedly already been held regarding a move but nothing has really progressed on that front.

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If Spurs were to complete a deal for Balogun it would certainly be an eye-catching addition, not least because he’s clinical in front of goal but also because he was once of Arsenal.

The USMNT star came through the ranks at Hale End and since leaving the Gunners behind, he has forged a very successful career for himself.

During a loan spell with Reims in 2022/23, the centre-forward bagged 22 goals on French shores. That earned him his big move to Monaco.

In the principality, he has been a little inconsistent. The 25-year-old beat the goalkeeper on just 12 occasions during his first two years but returned to form with a bang in 2025/26, netting 19 times in 43 outings. He then had a brilliant World Cup, scoring three times in four games for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Endorced by Poch, this is a move that Spurs fans will like, particularly if they get one over Arsenal. However, there is another forward with Ligue 1 experience who would be a better addition; Georges Mikautadze.

Reports in recent weeks have indicated that Tottenham are interested in prising the Georgian away from Villarreal in LaLiga, but according to club insider Paul O’Keefe, it will not be easy. Having spoken to a contact in Spain, he reveals that the Yellow Submarine are looking for a fee of €80m (£68m) to part ways with him.

That’s pretty pricey but on paper, he looks like a much better option than Balogun in the ongoing window. Indeed, in recent years, he has been far more consistent in goal. In the last three years, the American striker has scored 31 times. Mikautadze, on the other hand, has scored 46 goals.

The Georgia international made a real name for himself in France where a 17-goal campaign with Lyon saw him move to Spain where he he bagged 16 in 44 matches.

On that evidence, it would appear that Balogun has a higher ceiling. Mikautadze, however, is more consistent. He’s also more of a complete package.

The simple fact is that Mikautadze is more clinical in front of goal. He had fewer shots but scored more non-penalty goals during the course of their respective league campaigns. As a result, he had a higher conversion rate than Balogun.

The latter may be stronger in aerial duels and is more progressive with his carries but the Villarreal talisman is a much better dribbler. His overall play is more dynamic and that would suit De Zerbi’s style of football perfectly.

REUTERS/Pablo Morano

Furthermore, the Georgian had a higher rate of expected assists from open play and registered more progressive passes. Those are two metrics that would be music to the ears of whichever wingers Spurs sign between now and September’s deadline.

For £68m, it is far from a bargain but he looks as well suited to Tottenham as any striker they have explored a move for this summer.