Tottenham target Igor Matanovic to lift them out of relegation zone

Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring SC Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic as a potential January signing, a move they hope will fire the club out of the relegation zone,

Current goal crisis at Tottenham

Roberto De Zerbi’s side have managed only two goals in five Premier League games and sit bottom of the table ahead of the September international break. Dominic Solanke and Omar Marmoush are the only recognised options up front, while Richarlison is not registered in the 25‑man squad and both Will Lankshear and Dane Scarlett have departed permanently.

Why Matanovic stands out

The 6ft 5in Croatian international joined Freiburg from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2025 after loan spells at St Pauli and Karlsruher. He has already scored six goals in seven league games this season and added two assists, improving on his 15‑goal haul in 50 appearances last term.

His physical presence and aerial ability would give Tottenham a different dimension up front, something the north London club lack after a frustrating start.

Expert view and transfer outlook

GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs wrote in his GMS newsletter that Tottenham are prepared to add another striker in the winter market if goals continue to dry up, noting that Richarlison’s future looks bleak and that both Spurs and Manchester United have shown interest in Matanovic.

Tottenham eye Croatian target as goal drought deepens in January

Jacobs warned that winter deals are harder to secure than summer moves, but added that the club have “plenty of time before the winter market opens” to assess the target.

Action Images/Lee Smith Rob, a football writer for GiveMeSport with over 15 years’ experience, began his career at Bradford Bulls Rugby League Club and York City Football Club after graduating with a BA in Sports Journalism in 2010. He later worked for the Press Association, The Football League Newspaper and football.london, where he hosted the Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham podcast covering Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham at home and abroad.

Rob’s background illustrates the breadth of coverage that underpins the opinion piece, which combines insights from the sports press, the football association and club‑level analysis.

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

Tottenham spent a large sum on De Zerbi this summer, and the club’s hierarchy appear ready to splash additional cash if the striker shortage persists. Whether Matanovic can adapt quickly to the Premier League remains to be seen, but his early numbers suggest he could be the upgrade over Lankshear that the Hotspur board desire.