Tottenham Hotspur concluded a memorable year with a standout moment as Archie Gray netted his first senior goal, securing a 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace.

The year 2025 has been a mixed bag for Spurs in the Premier League, marked by challenges and setbacks. However, it also brought moments of celebration with the acquisition of a long-awaited trophy, the appointment of yet another manager, and a significant shift in leadership as the long-standing Daniel Levy Era came to an end, marking the first such change since 2001.

Despite domestic hurdles, Spurs are in contention for a Champions League spot next season, trailing by just four points. They have also made a commendable start in the current Champions League campaign and are eagerly anticipating the return of their key playmaker, Dejan Kulusevski.

1. What should Spurs focus on in the January transfer window?

The top priority for Tottenham is to secure a left-sided attacker. Since the departure of Son Heung-min, neither Wilson Odobert nor Mathys Tel has managed to claim this role as their own over the past five months. Additionally, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani are not naturally suited for wide positions, and Brennan Johnson has not been as effective on the left as he is on the right.

Hence their part in the scramble for Antoine Semenyo but if Spurs engage with their Big Six rivals in the transfer market they are unlikely to win – the Bournemouth winger is most likely off to Manchester City, and failing that Liverpool.

Others pay more and others win more. Nevertheless, a forward who can contribute goals from the left is the best short-term fix available.

Beyond that, there is scope to upgrade at centre forward, depending on how they see the fitness of Dominic Solanke, in central midfield and in goal. Another left back wouldn’t go amiss and they are on the search for an elite goalkeeper but much of this will be best tackled in the summer.

Tottenham have registered interest in Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo but he is far more likely to go to Manchester City or Liverpool

2. Do they have money to spend?

Yes, there is money and FFP headroom and the Lewis family insist they are ambitious to build success on the pitch and not looking to simply plump the club and sell it. 

There are some with doubts about this. But we are about to find out. It is the first window post Daniel Levy so there will be clues to ambition – let’s see if they can compete seriously for the in-demand movers, but the January market can be difficult. 

CEO Vinai Venkatesham will drive the strategy with co-sporting director Johan Lange and head coach Thomas Frank, and Spurs are not helped by uncertainty swirling around Fabio Paratici, the other co sporting director who appears set to thank Spurs for their loyalty during his global ban from football by swanning off to Fiorentina. 

Paratici is valued for his network of contacts at the big European clubs and his deal-making skills so to lose him at the start of the transfer window would not bode well. And probably means some energy would be devoted to finding a heavyweight recruitment expert. He’s still in position for the time being and was in the stands at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

CEO Vinai Venkatesham (right) will drive the transfer strategy with Johan Lange and Thomas Frank, and Spurs are not helped by uncertainty swirling around Fabio Paratici (centre)

3. Who are they targeting?

Semenyo looks set for elsewhere, be it Manchester City or Liverpool. It is a reality check for those who think Spurs can just go out and sign whoever they want. 

RB Leipzig’s teenage winger Yan Diomande, currently at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Ivory Coast, is another exciting talent they have interest in. Diomande is in his first year in Germany and is both expensive and unlikely to move mid-season, but has the profile of age and experience all the Premier League heavyweights are prepared to spend big on. He will be on the list of all those disappointed by Semenyo. 

As will Turkish 20-year-old Kenan Yildiz of Juventus, another highly rated wide forward who is attracting attention with agent Jorge Mendes busily creating a market.

If City land a winger in January, it could revive Tottenham’s interest in Savinho, who has signed a new contract but remains on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s team with only four Premier League starts this season.

There is still interest in versatile attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco. Akliouche was on the Spurs list of options in the summer and excelled against them in the Champions League.

RB Leipzig’s teenage winger Yan Diomande, currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, is another exciting talent they have interest in

Turkish 20-year-old Kenan Yildiz of Juventus is another highly rated wide forward who is attracting attention with agent Jorge Mendes busily creating a market

There is still interest in versatile attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco

4. How have their summer signings fared so far?

Mohamed Kudus has flickered. Bursts of quality and six assists without launching the team to a higher level, and only three goals in 23 games.

It is goals Spurs need since losing James Maddison, Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski to injuries, Johnson displaced by Kudus and Son sold.

Joao Palhinha, on loan from Bayern, has been effective especially in games against strong opponents requiring extra midfield muscle and ball winning craft. In those games when Spurs dominate possession, Palhinha has been less vital, and Rodrigo Bentancur and Archie Gray have become Frank’s preferred pair in central midfield in recent weeks.

Kolo Muani, on loan from PSG, has underwhelmed in a season disrupted initially by lack of sharpness and then niggling injuries. Xavi Simons has taken time to adjust and produced a couple of promising displays in the No 10 role before collecting a three-match ban for a red card against Liverpool so is yet to make a significant impact.

Xavi Simons has taken time to adjust and produced a couple of promising displays in the No 10 role before collecting a three-match ban for a red card against Liverpool

5. And who might leave?

Spurs accept they must be better at selling. Step one appears close, with Crystal Palace closing in on a £35m move for Europa League final hero Brennan Johnson, whose direct style and pace would suit the way the Eagles play.

Yves Bissouma is available just as he was last summer when there were no takers. Interest from Turkey failed to develop and there was a suggestion from the player’s camp that he was settled in London and wanted to stay in the Premier League. His disciplinary lapses and injuries mean he is unlikely to generate much interest.

Bissouma, now at AFCON with Mali, is out of contract at the end of the season but Spurs hold an option to extend for one more year which they plan to trigger if they do not sell in January, in order to preserve his value and make sure they can demand a fee in the summer.

Brennan Johnson, the hero of the Europa League final in Bilbao, is closing in on a £35m move to Crystal Palace

There is a lot of interest from Italy in a loan for Radu Dragusin, including Juventus where Marco Ottolini is the new sporting director

Kota Takai (left), the 21-year-old Japan international centre half, who has spent the first half of his first season at Spurs injured is another who could benefit from a loan

Depending on fitness there are others who might benefit from a loan move out to get minutes, including Radu Dragusin, the Romania centre half just back from a serious knee injury.

There is a lot of interest from Italy in a loan for Dragusin, including Juventus where Marco Ottolini is the new sporting director. Ottolini joins from Genoa where he turned a £20million profit on Dragusin, signing him from Juventus and selling him to Spurs. But he is the type of defender, strong, mobile and good in the air, who will appeal to Frank and he will want strong cover in central defence.

Kota Takai, the 21-year-old Japan international centre half, who has spent the first half of his first season at Spurs injured is another who could benefit from a loan, if Dragusin stays as cover.

Then there’s the situation with the goalkeeper. Guglielmo Vicario will have takers in Italy if Spurs find a suitable upgrade, but with a few moving parts it might be one for the summer window.