Tottenham are aiming for a club-record signing in Aurélien Tchouaméni, with Joe Lewis ready to back a major spending spree.

Thomas Frank is under mounting pressure and could face dismissal following Spurs’ recent draw, despite a midweek Champions League success against Borussia Dortmund.

The Lewis family appears determined to restore Tottenham’s competitiveness, with removing the Dane potentially their first significant move. Meanwhile, the club seems to be planning for life after Frank, with Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni emerging as a top target.

Former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, linked with the Tottenham job since leaving the Bernabéu, relied heavily on Tchouaméni during his time in Spain, despite an otherwise mixed spell. The French international, a Champions League winner with 174 appearances for Madrid and 43 caps for France, impressed under Alonso’s guidance.

According to Fichajes, both Tottenham and Liverpool have submitted offers in the region of £85 million for Tchouaméni. Spurs have reportedly conducted extensive scouting on the 25-year-old, and Real Madrid is now reviewing the bids internally.

Tchouaméni is seen as a ready-made midfield leader capable of making an immediate impact in north London, having once again proven his quality in La Liga this season. If Alonso were to take the Spurs job before the transfer window closes, a reunion with his former player is considered a strong possibility.

However, signing Tchouaméni would put a significant strain on Tottenham’s finances. With a £150 million transfer budget, the club has already spent £35 million on Conor Gallagher and £13 million on Souza, while a potential £3 million deal for Andrew Robertson has also been mooted. Bringing in Tchouaméni would leave just £14 million remaining.

While it would be a bold financial move amid uncertainty over Frank’s future, such an investment could make the Tottenham role far more appealing to any incoming manager.