Tottenham Hotspur have impressed on several occasions this season and have made significant strides under Ange Postecoglou’s leadership. However, despite their progress, they find themselves outside the top four after the halfway point of the Premier League season.

Sitting just three points behind third and fourth-placed sides Arsenal and Aston Villa, Spurs have recovered from a slump before the festive period, welcomed back injured players, and made astute January signings to bolster their squad, including Radu Dragusin as a defender and Timo Werner as a forward. Nonetheless, Postecoglou is still keen on adding a midfielder, and if Tottenham is to complete further business by next week, this will be their primary focus.

Looking ahead, efforts have been made to plan for the summer, especially with Harry Kane’s absence yet to be directly addressed as the team’s focal frontman.

While Werner’s arrival provided reinforcement, Spurs opted against signing a star center-forward in the summer, with the former Chelsea player being more versatile than prolific. Consequently, the search for a forward continues, with Ivan Toney of Brentford being one standout name reportedly on their radar. However, Toney’s £100 million price tag may make his acquisition challenging.

Reports suggest that Daniel Levy is exploring a potential deal for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, who has attracted interest from Spurs, Arsenal, Aston Villa, AC Milan, and even Manchester United. Zirkzee is said to have a €40 million (£34 million) release clause in his contract, adding to the intrigue surrounding his potential transfer.

Zirkzee rose to prominence at Bayern Munich, showcasing his potential by scoring four goals in just three starts during the 2019/20 German Bundesliga season. However, his opportunities waned at Bayern, and a move to Bologna followed in 2022. Despite a modest showing in Serie A, marred by injury and subdued performances, the young Dutch striker remains a promising talent sought after by several top clubs.