A little over six months after proving the hero in Tottenham HotspurEuropa League final triumph, Brennan Johnson has joined Ange Postecoglou in looking for pastures new, having signed for Crystal Palace in a £35 million deal earlier this month.
The Wales international was last season’s top scorer in all competitions, albeit after falling down the pecking order under his new boss. Thomas Franckit was seen as the opportune moment for the Lilywhites to concede.
What followed perhaps embodies north London’s recent woes, with the man who ousted Johnson from the right-wing seat, Mohammed Jerusalemlimping off just 19 minutes into Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland.
Frustratingly, analyzes later showed that the Ghanaian’s setback could be worse than expected, ensuring that Frank and his colleagues may well be forced to hit the market in the remaining weeks of the window.
Acquiring any player worth their salt mid-season is a tall order, although reports suggest that Spurs are stepping up their efforts to land the perfect Kudus replacement.
Latest news on Spurs’ decision to sign Kudus replacement this month
He hasn’t been perfect, although the former West Ham United player has been a real spark amid another difficult season in N17, racking up nine goals and assists in his first 26 games for the club.
Whisper it softly, but there were even nuances first Gareth Bale about his performances to date, cutting down that right flank to devastating effect on occasion.
Now sidelined until April, the loss of Kudus has left the north Londoners with a significant void to fill, with work underway to try and close the gap this month.
According to WinWinSpurs and their top-flight rivals are now set to battle it out for Manchester City’s signature. Omar Marmoushwith both clubs ready to show interest in the Egyptian star.
Indeed, according to the report, both clubs want to intensify negotiations once the 26-year-old returns from the AFCON, with the aim being to secure a loan.
The report adds that Marmoush’s priority is to stay in Manchester, although the recent capture of Antoine Semenyo could change his situation, with the striker’s agent ready to hold key discussions with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Marmoush, similar to Kane, would be a dream for Spurs
As already noted, Kudus has shown flashes of being the new talismanic figure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, although there is still work to be done to approach the status and influence of the club’s record scorer, Harry Kane.
The Lilywhites notably waited a year to recruit a real center forward to replace the English skipper, even if since his arrival in 2024, Dominic Solanke has been hampered by injury, scoring only 16 goals in 48 matches in all competitions.
Marmoush, who started for just one year at the Etihad, could potentially be the long-awaited successor to Kane that Spurs have been crying out for, having rivaled the 32-year-old as one of the Bundesliga’s shining lights in recent seasons.
Comfortable in a central role or on either flank, making him perfect to replace Kudus, Marmoush has joined Guardiola’s side. on £59m deal in January 2025, following a prolific stint at Eintracht Frankfurt.
In just 67 matches with the German team, he scored 37 goals and 20 assists in all competitions, subsequently praised by analyst and scout Ben Mattinson as a true “artist” during this successful period in Frankfurt.
As noted by FBref, the £295,000 per week Speedster was considered a statistically and stylistically similar player to Kane in 2023/24 and 2024/25, among Bundesliga strikers.
Over the last six months in Germany, Marmoush has been particularly devastating, with a penalty-free goals per 90 average of 0.81, ahead of even Kane’s return of 0.64.
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Marmoush vs Kane – 24/25 Bundesliga |
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|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (*per match) |
Marmouch** |
|
|
Games |
17 |
31 |
|
Goals |
15 |
26 |
|
Minutes per goal |
97min |
92min |
|
Lens conversion |
19% |
23% |
|
Big missed opportunities |
9 |
19 |
|
Aids |
9 |
8 |
|
Big chances created |
11 |
11 |
|
Success accuracy* |
80% |
81% |
|
Key passes* |
2.1 |
1.1 |
|
**left mid-season |
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|
Statistics via Sofascore |
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A rival to the former Spurs man in terms of clinicality, there is a real resemblance between the two men in their finishing prowess, with both men being so lethal on either foot, as well as from distance.
Such traits were noted by the aforementioned Mattinson, who described him as a “poacher in the box“, and an “instinctive finisher” who can “finish on both feet”.
Like Kane, his ball striking is truly fizzy and powerful, even with little backlift, a fact already highlighted in Manchester with his long-range stunner against Bournemouth at the end of last season.
Such magical moments haven’t been seen enough at City, given he has scored just nine goals in 40 games, although he has largely been on the periphery so far, starting just 24 times in total.
A change of scenery may be needed for this Kane-like talent to be revived, with Marmoush potentially ideally suited to Tottenham’s difficult times.
