Tottenham prepared to approve guaranteed signing for Frank, but only if one condition is met, with defensive departure looming
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank is reportedly racing against time to secure a deal for a high-profile centre-back before the winter transfer window shuts — a move that could spark a departure from the club.
Despite mounting pressure on Frank’s future, Spurs are still actively looking to strengthen their squad. That urgency is driven by their alarming league position, having managed just two wins from 14 Premier League matches and slipping dangerously toward the bottom of the table.
January has already brought some movement, with Conor Gallagher arriving from Atletico Madrid alongside highly rated Brazilian left-back Souza. However, hopes of landing Liverpool mainstay Andy Robertson now appear to have collapsed.
Defensive frailties have haunted Tottenham in recent months, playing a major role in their slump. Frank is said to be frustrated by lapses in focus at the back, and reports suggest he is pushing the club to sign a familiar face from his Brentford days — Republic of Ireland international Nathan Collins.
Spurs have been linked with Collins before, with Frank keen on the defender when he first took charge in north London last summer. According to the Daily Mail, that interest has now been reignited, though any deal hinges on Frank remaining in the dugout.
Sources revealed earlier this week that the Danish coach has been granted extra time to steady the ship, but a brutal run of upcoming fixtures makes that task far from straightforward.
Collins arrival could force Dragusin exit
Frank is understood to be a huge admirer of the Brentford captain and believes Collins has the quality to seriously compete with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in central defence.
There’s also speculation that Tottenham are planning ahead due to Van de Ven’s reported links with Liverpool — a move that would only materialise in the summer, if at all.
Should Collins arrive, it would almost certainly pave the way for Radu Dragusin’s exit. The Romanian defender is eager for regular minutes after recently recovering from an ACL injury and is desperate to stay in contention for his national team.
Romania still have a route to this summer’s World Cup, facing Turkey in a semi-final playoff before a potential clash with either Slovakia or Kosovo. Dragusin is keen to play a part — but Spurs’ immediate priority is fixing their own problems.
With injuries piling up, particularly in attack, Tottenham are focused on reinforcing a squad stretched thin across the pitch.
More Spurs transfer developments
In other news, Tottenham have had an approach for Kang-in Lee firmly rejected, with Paris Saint-Germain making it clear the South Korean playmaker is not for sale.
Meanwhile, Spurs are reportedly competing to sign Serie A’s standout goalkeeper — a deal that could make him the third most expensive keeper in football history.
To round it off, Tottenham are also eyeing a Napoli defender as they scramble to address the defensive issues that continue to plague Frank’s side — problems that could ultimately cost him his job if results don’t improve soon.