Tottenham can solve £43m Thomas Frank dilemma with free transfer agreement

Tottenham endured an exciting end to what was a largely disappointing summer transfer window. With just a few days of the trading period left, Mohammed Kudus was the only new, marquee and permanent signing brought in to Thomas Frank's squad.

Other deals had gone, through, with Mathys Tel re-joining for £30 million while Kota Takai is very much an addition for the future and Joao Palhinha signed on a season-long loan.

Those four arrivals had come alongside losing out on Savinho, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White with an attacking midfielder desperately needed as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski were unlikely to return from injury before 2026.

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Somehow, Tottenham appeared to fall upward with the signing of Xavi Simons, who had been linked to Chelsea all summer, from RB Leipzig confirmed last Friday evening. The Lilywhites then agreed to sign Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain with no buy-option or obligation included in the switch.

The Frenchman can be deployed across all three attacking position with Simons also capable of playing off the left. Savinho appeared to be Frank's dream signing on the left but that potential transfer was blocked by Manchester City.

As such, Spurs have not really replaced club legend Son Heung-min after selling him to LAFC in the summer. Having versatile forwards will be key to ensuring that glaring gap does not become too obvious with it possible Tottenham look to strengthen in that area during the January transfer window.

It is always difficult to do that mid-season and if Spurs are unable to, agreeing moves ahead of the summer is certainly the next best thing. According to transfermarkt's'contracts ending in 2026' page, there are numerous big names set to become free agents next summer.

As things stand in the Premier League, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva and Marc Guehi will all leave their current clubs. In Europe, Frenkie de Jong, Dayot Upamecano and Julian Brandt are just a few set to become available.

The latter should certainly be of interest to Spurs given his pedigree and the potential market opportunity signing him on a free transfer is. Maddison's recent injury history is a worry while Kulusevski and Simons are much better attacking midfielders when it comes to running with the ball.

Brandt is more of a conductor who can also play deeper if required which could help Frank solve a problem that has emerged since his arrival. With no fit No.10 available, Pape Sarr has been deployed as the most advanced midfielder which has seen him rack up goal contributions.

Since his £13 million arrival from Metz, he has been used more often as a No.8 and despite impressing recently, he is far better in that role. Lucas Bergvall has scored just once since joining the club from Swedish side Djurgarden for an initial £8.5m back in January but has made it clear he thinks he can be Spurs' creative solution.

Rodrigo Bentancur has also made some appearances further forward in his three-and-half years at the club upon joining in a deal worth up to £21.5m from Juventus back in 2022. None of the trio are really capable of thriving in both midfield roles, but Brandt certainly is.

The only potential problem is that he turns 30 next season and is earning quite the wage at Borussia Dortmund. However, he has captained the Bundesliga club recently and has plenty of experience in the Champions League.