Following Eberechi Eze's decision to join Arsenal despite Tottenham Hotspur's interest, Spurs head coach Thomas Frank has sent a clear message to potential signings: he only wants players who are eager to play for the club. Frank's comments come after Tottenham seemingly had a deal in place for Eze, only for Arsenal to swoop in and secure the player's signature.
Reports indicate that Tottenham had agreed on a deal with Crystal Palace and personal terms with Eze. However, Arsenal's late entry into the race, spurred by an injury to Kai Havertz, changed the landscape. Eze, a boyhood Arsenal fan who was previously released by the club at the age of 13, prioritized a return to the Emirates Stadium, leaving Tottenham empty-handed.
Frank addressed the situation in a press conference on Friday, ahead of Tottenham's Premier League match against Manchester City. While he didn't directly mention Eze, his message was unmistakable: "I don't want any players who don't want to come to the club," Frank asserted. "If they don't want to come here and wear this fantastic badge, we don't want them here".
The failed Eze transfer has intensified the pressure on Tottenham to bolster their attacking options before the transfer window closes on September 1st. Injuries to key players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, coupled with Heung-min Son's departure, have left the squad short on resources.
Despite the setback, Frank expressed confidence that the club will make signings before the deadline. Richarlison, who scored twice against Burnley, is expected to continue leading the attack, with new signing Mohammed Kudus also providing an option. Mathys Tel, Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke are also available. Tottenham had also considered Morgan Gibbs-White, but the midfielder signed a new contract with Nottingham Forest. Frank's focus remains on finding players who are committed to Tottenham's project and eager to contribute to the team's success.