The current transfer window, whilst being productive, has not offered any serious option for a replacement for the out-of-contract Fernando Llorente (90mins).
However, Spurs have secured the purchases of Jack Clarke from Leeds United and Tanguy Ndombele from Olympique Lyonnais (BBC), along with the anticipated signings of Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis and Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham (Mirror).
Tottenham fans will be aware that the position of striker has proved problematic for the club since Harry Kane’s rise to prominence over the past 4 seasons.
Roberto Soldado and Vincent Janssen failed to cut the mustard and Fernando Llorente may now be gone for good.
However, the club are now considering the re-signing of Llorente to play the role of ‘backup’ striker (London Evening Standard), although Fiorentina have also shown an interest in taking the striker back to Serie A (Di Marzio).
Speaking on the Transfer Tavern on TalkSport, ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara claimed (20/07/2019 at 5:25 pm): “It’s a tough one because the hardest thing in football is to get top strikers, especially for cheap. Probably Spurs are thinking we’ll get one in or something will come up and they have probably found it difficult, so they are perhaps looking at it that Llorente did score important goals for them last season.
“[But] I don’t think it’s a forward-thinking move for a football club. Llorente will be happy with the deal because he’s 34 and they have probably offered him £60k-a-week. He’ll probably look at it and think ‘It’s another season playing at the top level’.
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“But for Spurs, it’s not a forward-thinking move. They recently reached the Champions League final. They have talked about that they really want to push on now. I don’t think Llorente is that.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
It is difficult to disagree with O’Hara, but he does not provide an alternative solution to what is a complicated situation. How many top-class strikers would be prepared to wait for Kane to leave the club, given that Mauricio Pochettino almost always starts with a lone striker? I think we know the answer.
The options are limited: the club could re-sign Llorente – I believe he has enough goodwill among the fanbase courtesy of his Champions League exploits at the end of last season.
On Sunday, Troy Parrott gave a very assured first-half performance against Juventus in Singapore, but to rely on him should Kane pick up an injury would be too much pressure for the young man.
My guess is that we will go back to Llorente, or maybe another ‘2nd tier’ striker (someone like Charlie Austin), and use the strength of our attacking midfield and wings should Kane not be available.
Until Mauricio Pochettino departs for pastures new, or switches to two up front, the club will not be purchasing any big-name strikers.
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