Tottenham Could Unearth Their Next Gareth Bale With Surprise £35m Move for Brazilian Wonderkid
Thomas Frank’s promising start at Tottenham Hotspur has begun to lose momentum, and the Danish manager now faces growing pressure to reshape his squad when the January transfer window opens. Spurs have shown moments of brilliance under his leadership, but persistent structural issues—particularly in attack—suggest the team needs reinforcements to revitalise their campaign.
Spurs’ Attacking Problems Are Becoming Impossible to Ignore
Tottenham’s biggest struggle has been progressing the ball effectively, especially when opponents press aggressively. Micky van de Ven occasionally produces daring solo runs that resemble peak Diego Maradona, but those moments aside, Spurs often lack the guile needed to break through organised defences. Their midfield pairing of João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur offers solidity and industry, but not the creative spark required to unlock compact low blocks.
The statistics make grim reading for a side with top-four ambitions. Despite ranking fifth in the Premier League for average possession, Spurs sit a disappointing 17th for total shots taken—barely ahead of Wolves and more than 50 attempts behind title contenders Liverpool and Arsenal. They are also only mid-table for touches in the attacking third, highlighting how much of their possession is sterile rather than purposeful.
The reliance on the right-hand side is equally concerning. Tottenham frequently funnel attacks through Mohamed Kudus, effectively becoming a one-dimensional threat. Only five Premier League teams launch more right-sided attacks, and the lack of balance is beginning to show. While players such as Antoine Semenyo and Ademola Lookman have been linked as potential solutions on the left flank, Spurs may benefit more from investing in a rising star rather than pursuing an established name.
Enter Rayan, Vasco da Gama’s exciting 19-year-old winger, who is reportedly available for around £35 million.
A New Bale? Why Brazilian Prodigy Rayan Could Transform Tottenham’s Attack
The CIES Football Observatory described Rayan as “a technically skilled left-footed player who is fast, powerful, and elegant.” It’s the kind of profile that immediately evokes memories of a young Gareth Bale, particularly the version that Harry Redknapp unleashed on the Premier League when he moved the Welshman from full-back to the wing.
What makes the comparison more intriguing is Rayan’s positional flexibility. Although he primarily plays as a right winger cutting onto his stronger foot, he is comfortable across all attacking roles. His finishing, at this stage, is more developed than his chance creation—a trait Bale also possessed in his early years.
Even their physical profiles are remarkably similar: Bale stands just a centimetre taller.
During Bale’s breakout campaign as a forward, he delivered seven goals and two assists while terrorising full-backs on either wing. Rayan has already shown signs of that same explosive potential. Despite Vasco da Gama enduring a difficult 2025 season, the teenager still managed 12 goals in 30 matches, demonstrating his ability to make decisive contributions even within a struggling team.
His dribbling-to-shot conversion—beating a defender and instantly creating a shooting opportunity—is exactly the type of direct threat Spurs currently lack. Rayan averaged 3.06 shots per 90 minutes in Brazil; if he could replicate anything close to that in England, he would rank among the Premier League’s top four for shot volume.
Of course, no one expects him to adapt seamlessly. But the success stories of players like Bale—and more recently Jérémy Doku—show that explosive, fearless dribblers can thrive in the Premier League when given space and trust to develop.
Why Rayan Fits Thomas Frank’s Recruitment Model Perfectly
While Tottenham now operate with a higher budget and wider reach than Brentford, Thomas Frank’s recruitment principles remain intact: identify undervalued gems, nurture them carefully, and build a competitive team without relying solely on established stars.
Frank’s track record speaks for itself. At Brentford, he unearthed players such as David Raya, Ivan Toney, Ezri Konsa, and Bryan Mbeumo, all signed from outside Europe’s elite leagues. Even the higher-profile signings, like Yoane Wissa and Kevin Schade, arrived from clubs recently competing in second divisions.
Meanwhile, players like Christian Nørgaard and Sepp van den Berg came from bigger clubs but had barely played senior football before thriving under Frank’s guidance.
For a coach with such pedigree in player development, transforming Rayan from a relatively unknown prospect into a Premier League star is not only plausible—it fits perfectly within his established blueprint.
Final Verdict: A Smart Gamble With Huge Upside
A £35 million investment in Rayan may raise eyebrows compared to more proven Premier League names, but the upside is enormous. Tottenham desperately need creativity, unpredictability, and goal threat from the left side of their attack. Rayan offers all three, along with the potential to evolve into a world-class winger.
If Spurs are willing to take the risk, they may find themselves with their most exciting wide player since Gareth Bale—one who could redefine their attacking identity for years to come.