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Tottenham sporting director identifies young Anderlecht midfielder as an option for January transfer window

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Rohan Sengupta | Last updated Dec 18, 2025 9:10 AM ET

Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange is keen to sign a Belgian prodigy in January.

Tottenham Hotspur’s performances over the last two months have exposed several gaping holes in the squad that need to be addressed in the next transfer window.

The latest 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground highlighted the need for freshening up the squad. The dismal performances and results have increased the scrutiny on Thomas Frank from fans and pundits alike.

Spurs need some semblance of control in midfield, having been overrun and outsmarted mostly since the Everton away win in mid-December. Joao Palhinha, who was among the club’s standout performers, has been dropped in the past few games for youngster Archie Gray to partner Rodrigo Bentancur. Yet, the problems persist, and to address those, Thomas Frank wants the board to sign experienced players in the January transfer window.

In contrast, though, technical director Johan Lange has identified a talent making waves in Europe.

Anderlecht talent Nathan De Cat wanted by Johan Lange at Spurs

According to Spurs insider Paul O Keefe on X, Tottenham technical director Johan Lange wants to sign Anderlecht’s teenage prodigy, Nathan De Cat, in the winter transfer window. He stresses that it would be one for the future if a deal were to be completed, given the fact the defensive midfielder is only 17.

Nathan De Cat, a highly rated Belgian talent, has been making waves in the Anderlecht first team this season. The teenager’s breakout season at Anderlecht has sparked significant interest from European clubs, particularly Tottenham. The midfielder has made 24 appearances in all competitions this season thus far, catching the eye with his maturity, defensive intelligence and technical ability.

Can Spurs sign De Cat in January?

The Lilywhites have been investing heavily in youth in recent years. They have found success in Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, and whether Frank stays or not at the club, Lange and Co. are looking to expand their pool of young talent by bringing in De Cat. However, there is one twist.

Recently, De Cat admitted in an interview that he has no intention of leaving Anderlecht midway through the season. The young Belgian’s decision to continue with his boyhood club and not seek for a move away in January is totally understandable, but it is a big setback for Lange’s plans to sign him.

It is clear he is a huge talent and signing him next summer would be an uphill task, perhaps which is why the Spurs’ co-sporting director wants to get an early deal done. Unless and until Tottenham do not pay a bit over the odds, De Cat is not moving away from Anderlecht.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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