Spurs lining up January move for £218k-p/w “machine”, he’s a big Gray upgrade
The 2025/26 season has proven to be a demanding and often frustrating one for Tottenham Hotspur so far.
Fresh from lifting the Europa League trophy under Ange Postecoglou, optimism was high among supporters that the club had finally turned a corner. However, the decision to part ways with the Australian coach soon after that success reset expectations once again. With Thomas Frank installed as the new man in the dugout, Spurs entered the campaign hoping for stability and renewed direction. Yet as the Premier League approaches its halfway stage, Tottenham find themselves sitting 11th in the table, already seven points adrift of the coveted top-four places.
There have, however, been small signs of encouragement. Sunday’s hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park felt significant, not only for the three points but for what it represented. It suggested that Spurs may finally be beginning to find their footing under Frank. While the overall body of work still leaves plenty to be desired, the Dane was encouraged by the togetherness, fight and initiative shown by his players. That said, the performance also underlined the reality that reinforcements are required, particularly in midfield, as the January transfer window edges closer.
Tottenham’s midfield concerns
One of the most glaring issues has been the absence of Yves Bissouma, who has yet to feature this season due to disciplinary reasons. The Mali international is expected to move on in 2026, meaning Tottenham must already be planning for life without him. In his absence, the midfield partnership of João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur has struggled to provide the balance, authority and progression needed to dominate matches consistently.
Archie Gray’s match-winning header against Palace — his first senior goal — was a moment to savour and another positive indicator of Spurs’ improved away form. After ranking 17th for road results last season, Tottenham have shown far more resilience and control on their travels this term. Still, Gray’s youth and inexperience remain evident. According to Sofascore, the teenager has won just 28% of his Premier League duels this season, highlighting the need for greater physicality and know-how in the engine room.
That lack of midfield robustness has led Spurs to explore options in the market. TEAMtalk reporter Dean Jones has revealed that Tottenham have already held discussions with intermediaries over a potential move for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, who is expected to leave the Allianz Arena in 2026.
At 30, Goretzka is reportedly open to a new challenge in England after spending his entire senior career in Germany. His ball-carrying ability, athleticism and progressive passing could be an ideal fit for a Tottenham side that has too often struggled to create clear-cut chances. Manchester United monitored his situation last summer, but Bayern responded by placing a £34 million price tag on the midfielder — a figure Spurs would be keen to reduce if talks advance.
Why Goretzka could elevate Spurs
There is no doubt that Archie Gray is a player of immense promise. Tottenham caused a stir when they swooped in ahead of Brentford to sign the Leeds United prospect for around £30 million in 2024, and his rapid rise has already seen him rack up 59 senior appearances. Many view him as a future England regular, but the reality is that he is still learning his trade at the top level.
Goretzka, by contrast, would offer instant elite-level experience. Despite entering his thirties, the German remains a powerful and intelligent midfielder, combining crisp distribution with relentless energy. His technical ability is matched by his physical presence, making him a far more complete package at this stage of his career.
Adding Goretzka to the squad would give Frank a new set of tactical options in midfield. When comparing the two players, Gray’s forward-passing and duel metrics over the past year fall short, even accounting for the teenager’s frequent deployment in defence during Spurs’ injury-hit campaign last season. While Gray’s development is on track, the gap in quality and consistency is clear.
Earning around £218,000 per week, Goretzka has been labelled a midfield “machine” by Bayern teammate Aleksandar Pavlović, and his trophy-laden CV speaks for itself. A Champions League triumph in 2019/20 and six Bundesliga titles underline the winning mentality he would bring to north London.
Crucially, his versatility allows him to operate as a box-to-box midfielder, in a more advanced role, or as a deeper presence shielding the back four. Each role demands technical quality, athleticism and tactical intelligence — all areas in which Goretzka excels.
Gray’s time will undoubtedly come, and Tottenham continue to place trust in his development. But if Spurs are serious about meeting their objectives in Thomas Frank’s first season in charge, added experience in midfield feels essential. With Goretzka seemingly preparing to close the chapter on his Bayern Munich career, ENIC may be wise to act decisively and bring him in early, strengthening the squad for the second half of the campaign and beyond.