Tottenham Hotspur were left short of creativity in midfield after James Maddison ruptured his ACL on his right knee in a pre-season friendly fixture against Newcastle United in August. That untimely setback forced the Lilywhites to scour the market for an adequate replacement before the summer transfer window slammed shut.
Thomas Frank missed out on the signings of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, despite both agreeing personal terms with Tottenham. Eventually, they managed to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig in the final week of the transfer window. Due to the focus being completely put on to the signing of a No.10, Spurs could not add a central midfielder to their ranks.
Transfer plans for the upcoming January window are already being made behind the scenes in N17, and it looks like Thomas Frank wants to raid his old club to address a key area of his squad.
As per reports from September, Thomas Frank has prioritised the signing of a new central midfielder during the January transfer window. The Dane-led Spurs have shown an interest in Yehor Yarmolyuk in recent weeks, with scouts “raving” about the Brentford midfielder.
Yehor Yarmolyuk has been plying his trade for Brentford since 2022. The Ukrainian international has continued to impress under new boss Keith Andrews, emerging as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise poor start to the season. He has made seven appearances in the Premier League, chipping in with an assist.
Now, reputed journalist Dean Jones has revealed Spurs actually hold an interest in Yehor Yarmolyuk, who is catching the eye of some big clubs with his impressive displays for the Bees this term.
“At Brentford, Yarmolyuk is definitely catching the attention of some big teams,” Dean Jones said on the Ranks FC podcast.
“I’ve already been told of Tottenham, Man United and Chelsea are looking at his midfield performances. He’s a consistent, reliable performer for Brentford and has been for quite a while now. He’s only 21, Ukrainian international.
“Thomas Frank obviously knows him from his time at Brentford, and perhaps that’s where that level of interest comes from at Tottenham.”
Due to his eye-catching displays for Brentford this season, Yarmolyuk has attracted more suitors for a potential January transfer. Tottenham will now have to fend off competition from Chelsea and Man United for the Ukrainian’s services, while there is interest from likes of Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli as well.
Chelsea are planning to recruit the 21-year-old as they look to add more cover in their midfield. Man United perhaps view him as a potential replacement for the ageing Casemiro, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Thomas Frank, under whom Yarmolyuk made his Premier League debut, sees the midfielder as a key cog in his future project at Tottenham.
Despite interest from top clubs, Brentford has no intention of letting go of their star. However, if interest in the tenacious midfielder keeps on rising, the West Londoners may be tempted to sell for around £30m.
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