Thomas Frank will surely love what Pep Guardiola has said about ‘incredible’ Tottenham target
Tottenham could use the January transfer window to invest in their forward line after struggling to find a consistent source of goals.
Thomas Frank has had to rely on Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel and Richarlison to spearhead his forward line following Dominic Solanke’s injury, and the trio have only found the net six times between them.
Consequently, Spurs are in the market for a new striker and have drawn links to former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who wants to leave Al-Ahli on loan.
The 29-year-old wants to secure a temporary move to the Premier League to increase his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
But with Toney’s mega wages posing an issue for Tottenham, Frank has perhaps turned his attention elsewhere.
What Pep Guardiola has said about Tottenham target Ferran Torres
According to reports on Sunday (November 16), Spurs have offered £57million to sign Ferran Torres from Barcelona.
Tottenham have shown previous interest in Torres, who has seven goals in 14 appearances for the Spanish giants this term, with Frank seeing the 25-year-old as a missing piece to his attack.
The 52-cap Spain international’s exit could be sanctioned to ease Barca’s financial problems, although there is an acceptance that losing him in January would weaken their squad.
Torres joined Barcelona from Manchester City in December 2021 after working under Pep Guardiola, someone who once lauded his versatility as a winger and striker.
| Ferran Torres’ record at Manchester City |
| 43 appearances |
| 16 goals |
| 4 assists |
“I am delighted for the three goals but he has incredible numbers for first season in England,” Guardiola said in May 2021.
“He didn’t play during a period of two months much. He came as a winger with incredible runs in behind, but he can play as a striker.
“Every time he plays in that position, he has a real sense of goal. The last one is a big example of that, the intuition to know where the ball comes and be there to score.
“He was fantastic all season. An incredible signing for us, a young player who can play in all three positions for us up front.”
Torres is an elite forward Tottenham need
Frank loves players who are versatile and capable of playing multiple positions, with Torres showcasing such attributes throughout his career.
The fleet-footed forward has demonstrated impressive creativity from wide, including 2.97 shot-creating actions per 90 across the past year, while posting 2.24 progressive passes.
But it’s the Spaniard’s clinical finishing that will impress Frank the most, as the statistics prove he’s one of the best in Europe in the past year, as per FBref.
Ferran Torres’ shooting stats per 90 (where he ranks among strikers in Europe)
- 0.87 non-penalty goals (top 3%)
- 3.93 shots (top 3%)
- 6.13 touches attacking penalty box (top 12%)
Considering Frank has had to rely on Kolo Muani, Richarlison and Tel this term, Torres would be a huge upgrade and one that would signal their statement of intent.
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