Tottenham Hotspur appear to be edging closer to completing an ambitious double signing involving Manchester City forwards Savinho and Omar Marmoush, and the arrival of the highly rated attacking duo could have significant consequences for several members of Roberto De Zerbi’s squad.
The Lilywhites have already invested heavily in strengthening their defence and midfield during the transfer window. Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have all arrived for substantial transfer fees, demonstrating Tottenham’s determination to build a squad capable of competing at a much higher level.
However, Spurs have waited until the latter stages of the window to address their attacking options. That strategy now appears to be paying off, with Savinho and Marmoush reportedly closing in on moves to North London.
The potential double swoop would represent a major statement of intent from Tottenham. Both players possess the technical ability, pace, creativity and versatility to operate in several attacking positions, giving De Zerbi considerably more options in the final third.
For a Tottenham squad that has lacked consistency and genuine depth in attack, the additions could prove extremely important. At the same time, however, increasing competition for places means some existing forwards could find themselves pushed further down the pecking order.
With Tottenham also keen to recover part of their huge summer expenditure, departures could become an important part of the final days of the transfer window.
Here are four Tottenham attackers whose futures could now come under serious scrutiny.
Richarlison
Richarlison has been linked with a Tottenham departure on numerous occasions over the past few years, but despite the speculation, the Brazilian has repeatedly remained at the club and managed to work his way back into the first-team picture.
The 29-year-old could still feature against Brentford, particularly given Tottenham’s current injury problems, but the potential arrival of Marmoush could dramatically alter his situation.
Marmoush and Dominic Solanke are likely to be De Zerbi’s preferred options through the middle, leaving Richarlison facing a battle for regular minutes. With the Brazilian approaching the latter stages of his prime years, he may not be willing to accept a role that sees him used primarily as a substitute.
A return to Everton has even been suggested as a possible option. The Merseyside club knows Richarlison well, and a reunion could offer the forward an opportunity to play regularly again.
If a move cannot be completed before the transfer window closes, the situation could be revisited in January. Much could depend on how often De Zerbi uses him during the opening months of the campaign.
Mikey Moore
Mikey Moore is another player whose immediate future could be affected by Tottenham’s attacking recruitment.
The youngster could feature against Brentford, but his involvement would largely be explained by the club’s current injury crisis. Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are all unavailable, while the fitness of Solanke and Mohammed Kudus remains uncertain.
That situation has left Moore as one of the few natural options available on the right side of the attack. However, once Savinho and Marmoush arrive and the injured players gradually return, his opportunities could become considerably harder to find.
Moore spent last season on loan at Rangers, making 47 appearances and scoring seven league goals. Although his campaign did not produce the explosive numbers some supporters may have hoped for, the teenager remains highly regarded and still possesses considerable potential.
Tottenham are unlikely to want to sell him permanently at this stage. Instead, another loan spell could be considered, allowing Moore to play regular first-team football rather than spending much of the season on the bench.
A temporary move could therefore be the best solution for both the player and the club as he continues his development.
Dane Scarlett
Dane Scarlett’s situation could be even more difficult.
The 22-year-old striker has endured several loan spells in recent seasons without managing to establish himself as a consistent senior-level goalscorer. His latest spell at Hibernian was particularly underwhelming, with Scarlett scoring just once in 13 appearances.
With Tottenham now bringing in more established attacking talent, Scarlett’s pathway into the first team appears increasingly narrow.
De Zerbi’s limited use of him during pre-season may also indicate that the striker is not currently considered a major part of the manager’s plans.
At this stage of his career, Scarlett needs regular football to prove that he can develop into a reliable Premier League striker. Remaining at Tottenham without significant playing time would do little to help him achieve that objective.
As a result, Spurs could explore a permanent transfer or another loan before the window closes. A fresh start elsewhere may ultimately be the most beneficial option for both parties.
Wilson Odobert
Wilson Odobert is perhaps the most unfortunate name on this list.
The French winger showed encouraging signs during a difficult campaign for Tottenham and appeared to be building momentum before suffering a serious injury in February.
His long-term future at the club remains far less certain, however, particularly with Savinho potentially arriving in North London.
Savinho is expected to receive considerable opportunities under De Zerbi, and his arrival could immediately push Odobert down the attacking hierarchy once the Frenchman returns to full fitness.
That does not necessarily mean Tottenham have given up on Odobert. At his best, he possesses the pace and directness needed to cause problems for defenders, and there is still plenty of time for him to re-establish himself.
The major issue is timing. His injury could make it difficult for Tottenham to find a buyer before the summer window closes, meaning a January transfer could become a more realistic possibility.
Much will depend on his recovery and whether he can convince De Zerbi that he deserves a significant role.
A New Tottenham Attack Taking Shape
The possible arrivals of Savinho and Marmoush underline how dramatically Tottenham’s squad is changing under De Zerbi.
Spurs have already invested heavily in midfield and defence, and strengthening the attack with two versatile forwards would give the Italian coach a significantly deeper squad.
However, major recruitment inevitably creates casualties. Players who were previously regular options may suddenly find themselves competing for limited minutes, while younger players could be sent out on loan to continue their development.
Richarlison, Moore, Scarlett and Odobert all have very different situations, but the same issue connects them: Tottenham’s attacking competition could become much stronger very quickly.
If the Savinho and Marmoush deals are completed, De Zerbi will have difficult decisions to make. For Tottenham, those decisions could involve not only choosing who starts, but also determining which players should remain in the squad and which ones need to move on.
With the transfer window entering its final stages, the Lilywhites could therefore have plenty more business to complete before their squad for the new season is finally settled.
