Spurs close in on “one of the best strikers in the world”

Tottenham Hotspur have played with confidence during this summer's pre-season preparations, picking up comfortable wins over Hearts of Midlothian and Queens Park Rangers over the past two days.

Ange Postecoglou was filmed giving a rousing speech to his team at half-time: “We wear Tottenham shirts, we play the Tottenham way“, receiving cheers from his players as the meeting and faith intensified.

While there is still a long way to go for the outfit hoping to end their endless wait for silverware, return to the Champions League and cement their position as one of Europe's top players, it is clear that the Australian manager is laying the framework for such success.

With Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Eric Dier, Ivan Perisic and others shipped out and the summer transfer window seeing Archie Gray, 18 and considered a special talent, brought in by Leeds United for £30m, Postecoglou is promoting a lasting tradition, as he has already found the new crop last year.

You need to combine some experience with the influx of youth; however, since Harry Kane has not been directly replaced after joining Bayern Munich one year ago, Tottenham may be circling their new player.

Spurs transfer news

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Jonathan David, with the Canadian striker expected to leave LOSC Lille this summer.

David is entering the final year of his contract at the Ligue 1 club and has been listed for a £20m cut, which only increases the appeal for a quick deal.

The report reveals that Spurs are locked in talks with the Ligue 1 outfit as they look to complete the swoop, and with Chelsea and West Ham United also interested, it would be good to speed up the talks.

Jonathan David Season 23/24 by the numbers

David has been one of the best strikers in European football over the past several campaigns, scoring 84 goals and 18 assists in 183 games for Lille, which has increased his level over the past few years.

His goal-scoring propensity ranks him among the best players across the continent, with broadcaster Tony Marinaro even calling him “one of the best strikers in the world“, such is his quality.

After all, according to FBref, David ranks in the top 16% of players in Europe's top five leagues in the past year for goals scored, top 3% for pass completions and top 20% for passes per 90. a desire to contribute to his team's overall flow suggests he would be well-suited to life at Postecoglou's Lilywhites.

Tottenham do not have an outside or central striker. Alejo Veliz was signed from Rosario Central in Argentina for £13m a year ago but the 20-year-old made just eight appearances, scoring once, before being loaned out to struggling Sevilla in Spain, enduring a minor role.

Heung-min Son played up front, lighting up his team's striker in general; Richarlison also played high and enjoyed a bright purple patch at the same time.

However, they are not long-term solutions, and David should be signed.

Why Spurs should sign Jonathan David

Son, now 32, was impressive as Spurs captain last season, taking over from Hugo Lloris. Consistently lethal in the attack, the South Korean scored 17 goals and added 10 assists in 35 Premier League appearances.

He scored 14 of those goals while deployed as a striker, playing 23 times in this position. One of the best players in English football in a long time, Son is a versatile striker, hailed as a “world-class player” by Postecoglou.

The thing is, in addition to his first-class shooting skills, the £190k-a-week talent is also one of the most dynamic and creative players in the business, ranking in the top 7% of his peers for assists and shot-creating actions, top 3% for passing and continuous passing as well and the top 13% of continuous passers out of 90.

In the English top flight last season, his 20 biggest chances created placed him fourth in such a metric category, with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah taking the prize with 22 biggest chances created.

This is all a roundabout way of redirecting Son's narrative to his natural place of work: the left wing. He wasn't always effective at the start of last season and, especially when form became spotty during the coming months of the campaign, he looked a little different from his previous role.

David will certainly be the center-forward upgrade that Tottenham are looking for. His lethal ability marks him as a special player, although his skillful, purposeful play will actually see him slot into the Spurs system as a pigeon joint.

Son, a high-tech star, could actually form a sweet connection with the Canadian international. No doubt Daniel Levy and Co will weigh up their options and decide on a possible signing, but whichever way the situation turns out, a striker is needed and David would fit the bill.

In 2022, David was asked about his long-term future in an interview, saying: “I don't know if I can find myself anywhere else but the Premier League”

The time is right; the stars seem to align. Tottenham must move now and sign a striker who could lead the line for years to come.