Tottenham could step up their plans to sign a forward this month after scans showed Mohammed Kudus’ injury is worse than feared.
Kudus, 25, limped off at the weekend against Sunderland and there were hopes of a quick return but he will miss the clash against Bournemouth on Wednesday and further games heading into the second half of the campaign.
It will be a blow to Thomas Frank as he tries to improve Spurs’13th-place position in the Premier League table before matches in the FA Cup and Champions League later this month.
Spurs have also just sold Wales winger Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace in a £35m deal, which limits their options and could see Frank go into the January market for a forward.
“I think it’s pretty fair to say that we are maybe a little bit short on offensive options,” said Frank before the fixture against Bournemouth.
Kudus has only missed one Premier League game all season, against Manchester United in November, and has been a mainstay of Frank’s squad following his £55m move from West Ham in the summer.
Spurs have previously targeted Manchester City forward Savinho, although the Brazil international is currently injured himself. There could be plenty of transfer action for wide players as Bournemouth are also saying farewell to Antoine Semenyo, who will leave for his £65m release clause this month. Andoni Iraola will also be without Justin Kluivert, who has undergone knee surgery.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or the next two or three days, but I’ve asked before coming here just to tell me, otherwise I will look foolish there talking about Antoine and then [he leaves]. And that’s the situation in this moment of the day,” said Bournemouth coach Iraola.
“I think it could be the last game,” added Iraola. “That is my personal opinion, but there is nothing agreed and nothing signed. It is my personal opinion as I understand the market and the noise but there is nothing agreed right now. He, right now, is our player and I hope it continues.”
