Tottenham Hotspur's pursuit of a crucial new striker this January may require an unlikely favour from London rivals Crystal Palace, as the club grapples with a severe injury crisis up front.
Spurs' Attacking Depth Pushed to the Limit
The need for reinforcements at Tottenham has become desperate following a series of significant injury blows. The latest setback sees Brazilian forward Richarlison ruled out for at least two months. This compounds the absence of winger Mohammed Kudus, who is sidelined for a similar period.
Further back, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is out until spring, though Conor Gallagher has been brought in as cover. Dejan Kulusevski remains unavailable for at least another fortnight after missing the entire season so far. The early-window sale of Brennan Johnson now looks like a decision the club may regret, leaving manager Thomas Frank with alarmingly limited options.
This shortage has contributed to a slide down the table, with Spurs now in the bottom half and five points adrift of a European Conference League spot. While more signings are expected, the club must navigate a notoriously expensive January market.
Jonathan David Emerges as a Key Target
One potential solution for Tottenham is Canadian international striker Jonathan David. The 25-year-old, who joined Juventus on a free transfer last summer, has long been linked with a move to the Premier League.
His adaptation to Serie A has been steady rather than spectacular, with five goals and three assists in 26 appearances across all competitions. According to reports from Sports Boom, Tottenham are admirers of David and are considering a move this month.
However, the major obstacle is Juventus's current stance. The Italian club does not want to sanction any major exits during the January window, making a deal for David difficult to broker.
Palace's Mateta Holds the Key to the Deal
The situation could change dramatically if Juventus succeeds in its own search for attacking reinforcements. The Turin club has identified Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta as a target and, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, has already held 'very positive' talks with the player over personal terms.
For Tottenham, Mateta's potential move to Italy could be the catalyst that unlocks a deal for David. If Juventus secures a replacement, they may be more willing to part with the Canadian.
The complication for Crystal Palace is whether they can afford to lose Mateta. The Eagles already face the prospect of defender Marc Guehi departing, possibly to Manchester City, this month despite previous expectations he would leave on a free in the summer. Losing two key players would represent a significant double blow for the South London club.
As the January window progresses, Tottenham's transfer strategy appears to be in a holding pattern, waiting on the decisions of others. The domino effect of the striker market means Spurs' dream signing could be decided in the boardrooms of their London rivals and in Turin.
