Tottenham eye Croatian target as goal drought deepens in January

Tottenham Hotspur, under manager Roberto De Zerbi, are actively pursuing Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic in the January transfer window, according to a report. The 23‑year‑old Croatian has already netted six goals in seven games this season. His form has attracted interest from several English clubs, with Tottenham leading the enquiries.

Spurs have endured a disastrous start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, sitting at the foot of the table with just two points from five matches. They have scored only two goals in those games. Their two points place them at the bottom of the league.

De Zerbi has made clear he has no plans for Richarlison, leaving Dominic Solanke and Omar Marmoush as the two senior recognised strikers in the squad. The limited options have forced De Zerbi to look beyond the existing squad. The lack of firepower has left the north London club desperate for alternatives.

Why Tottenham need a new striker

Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs wrote that Tottenham are prepared to add another striker mid‑season if goals continue to dry up. He noted the club’s urgency given the current goal drought. De Zerbi said, “We’re going to have to understand whether Tottenham are going to be really aggressive for a particular target in the winter market, or if we’re going to back what we’ve got and wait until the summer.”

Ben Jacobs says Tottenham remain calm on De Zerbi despite horrid start

Matanovic offers a different profile – he is big, tall and a classic target man, unlike the existing forwards. He scored fifteen goals for Freiburg last season and already has six goals and two assists in seven matches this campaign. He described the striker as “big, tall, a target man, a little bit of a different profile to the kind of striker that Tottenham have already got.”

Challenges in securing the Croatian forward

Jacobs warned that winter moves are harder, with clubs less willing to sell mid‑season and limited time for negotiations. He doubted Freiburg would sanction a mid‑season exit for Matanovic. He added, “My information as of now is that it’s not ruled out they could add another source of goals mid‑season, but players are harder to get in the winter market.”

Manchester United have also made enquiries, but Tottenham have already approached the German side about a deal. Both clubs are monitoring each other’s moves closely. Jacobs noted, “Manchester United and Tottenham are the two that I have heard who have made enquiries.”

Tottenham target Igor Matanovic to lift them out of relegation zone

If Tottenham succeed, Matanovic could provide a much‑needed goal source, potentially easing the pressure on De Zerbi’s forward line. However, the transfer remains uncertain, and the striker’s future hinges on Freiburg’s willingness to let him leave. He warned, “Don’t rule out the possibility of Tottenham adding another source of goals mid‑season.”