Tottenham Hotspur’s disappointing run of form continued on Saturday as they kicked off their first Premier League fixture of 2025. Despite taking an early lead over the in-form Newcastle United, the visitors denied Spurs a win on home soil, while Eddie Howe and his side continue to climb the Premier League table.
With Tottenham now winless in four games, Ange Postecoglou and co are taking to the transfer market for potential recruits to bolster their squad. Spurs have just 24 points on the table and are now pushing to break back into the top ten after falling significantly behind those towards the top of the standings.
With 42 goals scored so far this season, Postecoglou’s attack is far from the problem, as only leaders Liverpool have scored more at this halfway point. However, Spurs have conceded 30 goals so far and are looking for options to help tighten up their defence.
With 30 goals shipped so far this season following their latest 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, focus is on what can be done to improve the Tottenham backline. While it’s definitely not the worst in the table, it’s far from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, who have conceded just 17 goals each at this point. Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Fulham have also conceded less, and all three are a fair bit ahead of Spurs in the table.
Injuries have ripped through Tottenham’s backline, with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies all absent at centre-back. Destiny Udogie is also on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring strain against Wolves in one of their latest setbacks.
The January window will provide Spurs with a lifeline to recruit much-needed new options in defence. Naturally, targets won’t come easy and they certainly won’t be without rival competitors either.
According to CaughtOffside, Postecoglou and co are considering signing Abdukodir Khusanov from RC Lens this month to alleviate the pressure on their injury-stricken backline.
Tottenham are fans of the 20-year-old due to his age and the room he has to develop once their own senior centre-backs return to fitness. Lens are reportedly looking for a fee in the region of €15-20 million (£12-16m) for Khusanov, who has already been capped 20 times with Uzbekistan at senior level.
While Spurs are interested in the centre-back, Manchester City are also said to be keeping tabs on the current situation. The reigning champions are having a nightmare season, ejecting themselves from the title race after a torrid run of form.
Pep Guardiola is ‘looking to revitalise his squad’ this year and City could make an opening bid of €10 million (£8m) in attempt to sign Khusanov. Based on the asking price quoted, this will likely be knocked back by Lens, which opens the door for Spurs to swoop in and table a more convincing offer.
The 20-year-old has featured in all of his club’s games so far this season apart from two in Ligue 1, which he missed due to a red card suspension.
