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Tottenham’s forwards have let the team down on several occasions in front of goal this season, and Roberto De Zerbi and his recruitment team have already begun assessing striker targets ahead of the January transfer window.
Tottenham have enjoyed a fairly healthy spread of goalscorers this season. Of the 10 goals they have scored in the Premier League, nine different players have found the net, with centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke an unlikely top scorer.
However, Spurs’ actual number nines, Dominic Solanke and Omar Marmoush, have been left some way behind, with just one goal each.
After Spurs’ memorable 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 2 weeks ago, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard suggested that Tottenham ‘would challenge’ towards the top of the table if they upgraded two key positions, one of which was centre-forward.
Spurs did bring in Marmoush from Manchester City on a season-long loan in the summer, with the deal including an obligation to buy for £60m next summer.
However, the Egyptian is not an out-and-out, physical number nine, and his recent deployment on the left and in the number 10 role suggests De Zerbi may still want a more traditional striker.
With January now less than two months away, we have been regularly updating our readers with the latest transfer news. From the number 9 department, here are 15 names Spurs have been linked with, their current goalscoring records and where things stand with any potential deal, in no particular order.
Donyell Malen has found his goalscoring rhythm in Serie A since joining AS Roma in January, scoring 27 goals in 33 appearances for the Italian side. Twelve of those have come this season, while his overall tally in 2026 is higher than Harry Kane’s.
According to The Telegraph, Tottenham and Manchester United could both potentially consider a move for the 27-year-old, whose recent form has attracted Premier League interest.
Villarreal’s Georges Mikautadze has been on Tottenham’s wishlist for some time after an impressive campaign last season, when he recorded 15 goals and six assists.
Spurs insider Paul O’Keefe previously reported that Villarreal would demand more than £80m for the Georgian when Tottenham explored a move in the summer.
He has continued to contribute this season, registering five goals and two assists. However, Spurs could face competition from Newcastle United and Barcelona, with Mikautadze himself having admitted to supporting the Catalan club.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has tried to force his way out of Selhurst Park in recent months and could be one of the more accessible options in January, with the Crystal Palace striker entering the final six months of his contract when the window opens.
Several reports have placed the Frenchman on Tottenham’s shortlist, although Man United and Nottingham Forest are also understood to be interested. His current form is a concern, however, as he is yet to score a Premier League goal this season.
Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis has been described as the ‘leading option’ for Tottenham ahead of January, and his numbers certainly make a compelling case. The Greek international has already scored 18 goals in 18 appearances this season.
A deal would not come cheaply, though. Benfica have the striker under contract until 2029 and have placed an £84m release clause in his deal.
Espanyol striker Roberto Fernandez has rapidly climbed Tottenham’s shortlist after an impressive start to the campaign. The 24-year-old has already matched his entire goalscoring tally from last season, when he scored seven times in 40 appearances, in just 12 games this term.
His form has also earned him a senior Spain call-up, while De Zerbi reportedly views him as a top option for 2027. Several Bundesliga clubs are also monitoring him, with a relatively modest €30m (£25.4m) release clause potentially making him an attractive proposition.
Freiburg’s Igor Matanovic is another striker who could offer Tottenham the physical presence they would prefer. Standing at 6ft 3in, the Croatian has already scored eight goals this season and would appear to suit the profile of a traditional Premier League number nine.
However, a January departure could be difficult to arrange. The Premier League is reportedly ‘hugely appealing’ to Matanovic, who is aware of the interest in his services but would ultimately prioritise a move to Old Trafford if the opportunity presents itself.
Tottenham have been monitoring Real Madrid youngster Endrick for some time, with a temporary loan move previously considered amid his struggles for regular minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, a January move now looks unlikely after Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho ruled out a loan departure for the 18-year-old.
Tottenham held talks with Monaco striker Folarin Balogun during the summer after the American scored 19 goals for the Ligue 1 side last season. He also found the net three times for the United States at the World Cup, and reports suggested he was keen on a move to north London.
Spurs ultimately withdrew from the race, while a proposed move to Everton also collapsed after issues during his medical. Balogun has since struggled for opportunities at Monaco, making only four substitute appearances in Ligue 1 and being left out of their European squad.
His representatives are now exploring a January exit, with several Premier League clubs contacted.
Tottenham are among several clubs keeping tabs on Monza striker Gustavo Varela, having sent scouts to watch the centre-forward in action as recently as last week.
The forward has made an excellent start to the season, scoring nine goals in nine appearances for the Serie A side, putting him at the top of the Italian scoring charts, one ahead of Malen.
However, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Brighton, Brentford and Fulham have also sent representatives to watch him, while interest is emerging from clubs outside England too. A potential deal could therefore prove complicated.
Tottenham were just a few hours away from making an official move for Eli Kroupi Jr in the summer, when Bournemouth were reportedly demanding around £80m. However, a fractured metatarsal during pre-season forced Spurs to look elsewhere.
The Frenchman has since returned from injury and Tottenham reportedly still do hold interest, but Bournemouth have no intention of letting him leave midway through the campaign. A move next summer is believed to be more realistic.
Tottenham have been tracking Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi since the summer, and their scouts were recently in Belgium to watch the German youngster score a hat-trick against St Truiden.
The 13-goal striker has attracted interest from several elite clubs, including Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Unfortunately for all his suitors, Brugge reportedly have no intention of selling their prized asset midway through the season.
Dinamo Zagreb’s Dion Beljo has also caught Tottenham’s attention after scoring 12 goals in his last 14 games.
Man United are once again likely to provide competition, with recent reports suggesting the two Premier League clubs are the frontrunners for the 24-year-old.
That said, Zagreb are reportedly prepared to sanction his departure for around €20m-€25m (£16.8m-£21m) in January, making him one of the more affordable options on this list.
Real Sociedad’s Orri Oskarsson could be one of the more realistic and interesting options for Tottenham. The Icelandic striker scored nine goals in La Liga last season and helped Sociedad lift the Copa del Rey, before adding three goals in eight appearances this term.
Standing at 1.86m, the 22-year-old offers physical presence alongside technical quality and composure in front of goal. Those attributes have made him an ‘appealing prospect’ for several English clubs, with Tottenham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Brentford all having monitored his progress.
Everton are reportedly showing the strongest interest ahead of January, though, as they continue searching for a new number nine.
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib emerged on Tottenham’s shortlist back in September following an excellent start to the season. Sky Sports subsequently reported that Spurs and Juventus had both contacted the 23-year-old’s representatives.
The German has continued his impressive form, scoring eight goals in 10 appearances, and even earned his first two senior caps for the National team during the previous international break.
Finally, Tottenham have also been linked with a striker who is already proven in the Premier League. Igor Thiago finished last season as the division’s second-highest scorer with 22 goals, making him an attractive option for Spurs.
Brentford, however, have little interest in weakening their squad midway through the campaign. The Brazilian is under contract until June 2031, putting the Bees in a strong negotiating position.
Reports suggest Brentford would only consider offers in the region of €80m-€90m (£67m-£75.4m) in January. This season, Thiago has found the net 4 times.
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