It’s 2026, and the January transfer window whirlwind is spinning once again. As a professional in this game, the rumors, the medicals, the frantic last-minute deals – it’s the rhythm of our lives. Right now, the buzz is all around North London and a certain young striker in Spain. I’ve seen the reports, heard the whispers in the corridors, and it’s a story of one door closing and another potentially swinging open.

The first chapter of this story is an exit. Brennan Johnson’s time at Tottenham Hotspur is coming to an end. I can confirm that; the deal with Crystal Palace is done. His medical was scheduled, the paperwork is finalized, and Spurs will bank around £35 million. It’s a move that makes sense when you look at the narrative. Under Ange Postecoglou, Johnson was a key part of the attack, but this season, under Thomas Frank, things just haven’t clicked in the same way. The spark wasn’t there consistently. So, the club cashes in, and a space opens up in the squad. It’s the brutal, business side of the beautiful game we all know too well.

With that fee secured and a gap in the forward line, the scouts get to work. And their gaze has settled on La Liga. According to the latest intelligence, Tottenham have been running the rule over Levante’s 22-year-old striker, Etta Eyong. He’s the name on everyone’s lips as a potential reinforcement for the final third. Let me break down what I know about him:

• Current Form: For Levante this season, he’s bagged 5 goals and 1 assist in the league.

• Pedigree: Before his summer move, he was chipping in at Villarreal, contributing to 3 goals (scoring and assisting).

• Big Stage Mentality: Right now, he’s not even in Spain; he’s representing Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations. That tells you about his talent and temperament.

Now, here’s where the tactical puzzle comes in – and it’s a puzzle I find fascinating. Eyong is a natural, out-and-out striker. A number nine. Johnson, who’s leaving, is primarily a winger. This wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement. It would be a strategic shift. Bringing in Eyong wouldn’t directly fill the void Johnson leaves on the flank; it would add a different kind of weapon to Thomas Frank’s arsenal.

And what an arsenal it already is! Just look at the center-forwards already at Spurs' disposal:

Player	Age	Profile
Mathys Tel	21	Electric, versatile forward
Richarlison	29	Experienced, physical presence
Randal Kolo Muani	27	Technical, link-up play
Dominic Solanke	28	Proven Premier League scorer

That’s a formidable group. So, the big question hanging over this potential move is: Do Spurs need another striker? The word from those close to the club is that Eyong is considered a ‘special’ talent. You don’t pass up on special if you can get him. But logically, with Johnson gone, a direct replacement on the wing might seem a more pressing priority. The squad is stacked centrally but might be a body light out wide.

This is the eternal dilemma of the January window. The team needs a boost after a shaky start to the campaign – that’s undeniable. But January is a notoriously tough market. Prices are inflated, clubs are reluctant to sell their best assets mid-season, and finding true value is like searching for a needle in a haystack. 😬 Is Etta Eyong that value? He’s young, he’s performing in a top league, and he’s already an international. The £35m from Johnson’s sale could make this deal feasible without breaking the bank.

From my perspective, this isn’t just about replacing one player. It’s about squad evolution. Maybe Thomas Frank looks at his options and thinks, ‘With Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski, I have my wide starters. What I want is more competition, more unpredictability, and a pure finisher through the middle to challenge Tel and Solanke.’ Eyong could be that. He offers a different profile – perhaps more of a penalty-box poacher compared to the all-around game of Tel or the hold-up play of Solanke.

The saga has all the ingredients: a major sale, a rising star from a foreign league, a tactical conundrum, and the high-pressure cooker of the mid-season transfer window. As I sit here in 2026, watching this unfold, it feels like a classic piece of football business. One chapter ends with Johnson’s departure for Selhurst Park. The next might be written with the arrival of Etta Eyong from Levante, a ‘special’ talent who could add a new dimension to Tottenham’s quest for success. Only the next few weeks will tell if this story becomes reality.