Bad news for Solanke: Spurs prepare formal bid for "complete" £26m forward

Tottenham Hotspur have produced more than their share of Jekyll and Hyde performances over the years, and this season under Thomas Frank exemplifies that.

Having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup at early stages while languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League (again), it looks like winning the Champions League stands as the most likely route of competing on the continent next year, as well as the only chance of winning silverware.

It’s a far-fetched thought, but Spurs have been strong throughout their European endeavours so far, with a win over Eintracht Frankfurt securing their place in the last 16, bypassing an annoying extra knockout round.

Frank is still embroiled in issues, and he needs to get more of an attacking tune from his players, though the return of Dominic Solanke has helped matters.

Even so, ENIC Group are trawling through a list of targets at number nine.

Spurs’ plans to sign a striker

Randal Kolo Muani scored again in the Champions League, netting against another side he has featured for. However, the Frenchman has looked disinterested at times on the domestic scene, and it’s unlikely his loan spell will be sealed for the long run.

With Richarlison currently sidelined and rumoured to be on the move at the end of the season, one year before the culmination of his contract, it might be worth acting promptly to shore up the frontline, which, of course, is already flagging.

Technical director Johan Lange is on the case, with Spanish sources revealing that Spurs are preparing a formal transfer offer for Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani, who is valued at around €30m (£26m) by his German employers.

Chelsea are also in the race, and indeed favourites at this stage, but Tottenham’s interest is only growing as Frank scrambles for a more fluid and efficient frontline.

Earlier this season, Barcelona were credited with an interest in the Albanian forward, so it’s clear that Spurs would land a talent with a high ceiling.

What Asllani would bring to Spurs

Asllani is a dynamic attacker, competent as a centre-forward and with the grace and athleticism to feature across the frontline. In this, he has the potential to become a superstar for Tottenham.

Switzerland's Granit Xhaka in action with Kosovo's Fisnik Asllani

Only 23 years old, the Kosovo international has been in fine form in the Bundesliga this term, posting six goals and four assists across 18 appearances, with talent scout Jacek Kulig hailing him as a “complete forward”.

He could threaten Solanke’s place in the starting line-up, that in mind, with the dynamism to compete across multiple areas but the deadly instinct in front of goal to cement his spot as Spurs’ talisman as he continues to go from strength to strength.

Fisnik Asllani – Stats by Position
Position	Apps	Goals + Assists
Centre-forward	140	78 + 34
Attacking midfield	11	6 + 3
Left wing	5	0 + 0
Right wing	2	0 + 0
Data via Transfermarkt

Intriguing is Asllani’s consistency in front of goal. He has only missed four big chances in the Bundesliga this season, converting six times. That’s a level of accuracy in the danger area that Spurs could do with as they look to benefit from the few fashioned openings in Frank’s system.

We must believe that Tottenham will improve from a creative standpoint. But the Londoners need a prolific marksman in the mix regardless, and while Solanke has demonstrated throughout January that he has the ability to lead the line, his injury record leaves so much to be desired that an alternative simply has to be signed.

One thing’s for sure: Spurs have a more settled and fluid frontline with Solanke as the focal presence. There is a reason Daniel Levy forked out a sum that skimmed the club-record mark.

But Asllani is the real deal, and if Tottenham are serious about signing him in 2026, it could prove bad news for Solanke as he looks to cement his place at number nine.