Randal Kolo Muani’s arrival can revitalise Tottenham’s attack

After a summer that has seen a £60m bid for Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White rebuffed and a bungled attempt to sign Eberechi Eze, Tottenham have added a much needed dose of creativity to their forward line. 

A season-long loan deal for Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani has been agreed, with the France international set to join fellow summer signings João Palhinha, Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons in north London after an anticipated move to Juventus fell through.

The 26-year-old spent the second half of last year’s campaign on loan in Turin, scoring 10 goals in 22 appearances, but PSG and Juventus were unable to reach agreement on the structure of a permanent transfer. 

Kolo Muani, who had been linked with a host of clubs including Manchester United, underwent a medical in London on Monday afternoon. While the loan will not include an option or obligation to buy next summer, his arrival could hardly be more timely.

Tottenham’s lack of creativity

Despite convincing wins against Burnley and Manchester City in their opening two Premier League fixtures, a 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend laid bare a dearth of creativity in Thomas Frank’s side, who laboured for 67 minutes before finally producing their first shot on goal.

Long-term injuries to Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddision have not helped, while fears are growing that club record signing Dominic Solanke could also be sidelined for an extended period after suffering an ankle injury. Richarlison, who started the season with a brace against Burnley that including a stunning bicycle kick, also has a chequered injury record, missing a total of 37 games last season alone with a combination of hamstring, groin and calf problems. 

How will Randal Kolo Muani add to Spurs’ attacking options?

Kolo Muani’s arrival promises to bring renewed vitality and cutting edge to Tottenham’s forward line, with his ability to fill any position across the front three a particular advantage. His preference is to play through the middle but, wherever the Frenchman is deployed, he has an ability to make things happen in the final third that Spurs were crying out for at the weekend.

After starting his career with Ligue 1 side Nantes, where he bagged 21 goals in 79 first-team appearances, Kolo Muani enjoyed a fruitful season in the Bundesliga, scoring 16 goals in 34 outings for Eintracht Frankfurt.

A move to the Parc des Princes worth up to £74.5m followed, but Kolo Muani, who featured in the 2022 World Cup final for France, was unable to establish himself in Luis Enrique’s side and has since been deemed surplus to requirements by the Spaniard.

Tottenham will now be hoping that Enrique lives to regret that decision, given that they have been drawn to face PSG in the Champions League. 

What seems certain is that fans will be relishing the prospect of a three-pronged attack consisting of £52m man Simons on the left and Kolo Muani operating either through the middle with Kudus in support, or on the right with Richarlison or Solanke up front.