Matthew Chadder

Mon 17 July 2023 13:10, UK

Tottenham are reportedly interested in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani, according to RMC Sport.

The French broadcaster reported online (16 July) that Tottenham would consider a move for Muani if Harry Kane was to leave.

Kane’s future remains up in the air with Bayern Munich strongly linked to his signature, and if the English striker was to leave North London this summer then Spurs would have a massive task on their hands trying to replace their club-record goalscorer.

Although, if they were able to land Muani, he could be as good an option as anyone in European football to replace Kane. The Eintracht Frankfurt forward is widely viewed as one of the most exciting rising talents in French football and was part of the Les Bleus squad that reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in December.

Fabrice Hawkins’ article for RMC mentions that top clubs such as Bayern Munich and Manchester United are also interested in the striker, which tells the story of how highly rated he is.

With big clubs such as the ones mentioned interested in the 24-year-old and his contract with Frankfurt running until 2027, it could make him very expensive for Daniel Levy. In fact, journalist Fabrizio Romano told Givemesport (9 July) that a pricetag of £85million has been placed on Muani.

If this is true, then Spurs and Levy would have to spend big, but the stats suggest that Muani might well be worth splashing the cash on.

In the Bundesliga last season Muani scored 15 goals and provided 11 assists in 32 appearances, as well as scoring twice in the Champions League. These numbers are particularly impressive when you consider the Frenchman’s relatively young age and his club side only managing to finish seventh.

Although it is not just the surface-level stats that demonstrate how big of a talent Muani is.

As per FBREF, when compared to forwards across Europe’s big five leagues over the past calendar year, Muani is in the top four per cent for take-ons attempted (5.12 per 90) and successful take-ons (2.20 per 90).

The dynamic forward is clearly an explosive striker to play against and this is supported by a deeper dive into the stats. Over the past year, he ranks in the top seven per cent for progressive carries (3.09 per 90), the top six per cent for carries into the final third (1.80) and the top two per cent for carries into the penalty area (2.03) compared with European forwards.

He is also a talented creative player, registering 0.31 assists per 90 over the past 365 days, placing him in the top three per cent of European forwards.

In Muani, Spurs would have a talented player now and one who could develop into an even greater striker in the future. For this reason, Levy should really consider breaking the bank to ensure the number nine position is secure.

Replacing Kane will not be easy after the legacy he has built at the club over the past eight years. The board will need to pick his replacement carefully and won’t be able to sign someone on the cheap.

An £85million price tag might seem an extraordinary fee for a player who is still young and unproven in the Premier League, however, when you consider the hole Kane will eventually leave behind, it is, in fact, a small price to pay.

In other Tottenham news, the stats have suggested another potential striker who could be capable of replacing Kane.