It’s been a tough season for Brennan Johnson, slain by giant-killers Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup third round. Still, Tottenham Hotspur knew they needed to sell the Welsh winger, and chequed in a pretty penny at £35m.
Johnson had flattered to deceive under Thomas Frank this term, scoring twice in the early weeks of the Premier League campaign but drifting on the fringes thereafter. His work rate and efficiency in the build-up left much to be desired.
There were nostalgic hopes that Spurs had secured the next version of Gareth Bale when they brought him over from Nottingham Forest in 2023, but it wasn’t to be, even though Johnson wrote his name into the record books when scoring the winner against Manchester United in Bilbao, sealing the Europa League title.
Now, ENIC Group are ready to sign a replacement.
Spurs prioritising a new winger
Tottenham would not have foreseen the winter sale of Johnson after parting with club legend and captain Heung-min Son last summer, but it was clear that his time at N17 had run its course.
However, Mohammed Kudus since injured his hamstring against Sunderland, and now Spurs are rather threadbare in attack.
It is imperative that the Londoners complete an attacking signing this month, having missed out to Manchester City in the race for Antoine Semenyo, who has scored ten goals and provided three assists in the Premier League this season.
Perhaps the Lilywhites are holding out for RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, with CF Bayern insider Christian Falk confirming that Tottenham are seriously interested in the Ivory Coast international as Bayern Munich look to accelerate their own pursuit.
A host of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, are also keen on the 19-year-old breakout star, who is valued at a staggering £87m, meaning the Lilywhites would have to break their transfer record to conclude a move.
Why Diomande could emulate Gareth Bale at Spurs
Only 19 years old, Diomande is already performing at a prodigious level, having joined RB Leipzig from Leganes in La Liga last summer. Seven goals and three assists across 16 matches in all competitions shows the way toward a successful future at the top of the game, but its his underlying skillset that truly sets him apart.
Described as a “generational talent” by journalist Bence Bocsak, Diomande has been incredible in the Bundesliga, and his prolific, precise and powerful performances down the wings could see him grow into one of the finest wide forwards seen down N17 in many years, playing with a gusto and verve that aligns with the best of the best.
To say he could match someone like Son if one thing, but the Ivorian, currently competing at the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, may actually become the club’s finest since the days of Bale on the right wing.
Diomande is comfortable on both flanks, but like arguably Wales’ greatest-ever player, he is at his destructive best when cutting inside from the right, with each of his seven goals scored from the right wing this season, compared to four blanks on the alternate wing.
As you will recall, Bale returned to north London on loan for the 2020/21 campaign, and though it was a tough year for the Lilywhites, he reminded the club of his quality.
|
Diomande (25/26) vs Bale (20/21) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90) |
||
|
Goals scored |
0.61 |
1.08 |
|
Assists |
0.20 |
0.20 |
|
Shots taken |
2.33 |
3.72 |
|
Shot-creating actions |
4.66 |
4.60 |
|
Touches (att pen) |
6.89 |
4.01 |
|
Pass completion (%) |
81.3 |
68.5 |
|
Progressive passes |
4.05 |
4.21 |
|
Progressive carries |
6.28 |
3.03 |
|
Successful take-ons |
4.26 |
2.64 |
|
Ball recoveries |
5.78 |
3.72 |
|
Tackles + interceptions |
2.03 |
2.45 |
|
Aerials won |
0.20 |
2.25 |
|
Data via FBref |
||
Diomande’s own rapid, dribble-happy style of play may actually be above that of the retired Real Madrid legend, though Bale was hardly as snappy as he was when on the up in his earlier time at Tottenham.
But we cannot deny that Diomande is growing into an elite winger, someone who will guide one of Spurs’ rivals to riches if the Lewis family do not push to sign him first.
Tottenham need a new talisman, and though Diomande couldn’t be expected to perform with the same quality and sharpness as prime Son and Bale if he does indeed join the London club, there’s no question that he’s talented enough to become a superstar.
If Tottenham want to prove that they have not settled on a middle-strung run of the ladder, they must push to seal this impactful signing.
He’s “similar” to Son: Spurs plotting to sign £51m Johnson replacement
Tottenham have to make some impactful signings before the closure of the January transfer market.
