Chelsea outcast Lukaku among strikers Tottenham could target to replace Kane
With Harry Kane off to Bayern Munich, Tottenham may yet delve back into the market to ease the striker's departure. Spurs will struggle without their star forward, and the least the club can do is make a move for a player to ensure they don't completely fall by the wayside in the final third in Ange Postecoglou's debut campaign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium helm.
Here, we take a look a few replacements Tottenham could target as Kane edges closer to a big money move to Bayern.
Gift Orban has made a bright start to the 2023/24 Belgian Jupiler Pro League, netting in their opening weekend 3-2 win over Kortrijk, and followed that up with a hat-trick against Pogon Szczecin in midweek. The 21-year-old maximised his limited game time for Gent last term, scoring nine times and providing two assists in just 790 minutes of action.
🇳🇬 Gift Orban's player characteristics:
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 11, 2023
✅ Strengths:
🟢 Finishing
🟢 Long shots
🟢 Direct free-kicks
🟢 Through balls
🟢 Dribbling
❌ Weaknesses:
🔴 Aerial duels
🔴 Defensive contribution pic.twitter.com/KH74SJmS1i
Orban has been linked with a move to Tottenham in recent weeks and Spurs may now accelerate their interest in the Nigerian in the wake of Kane's move to Bayern. The youngster is quick off the mark and prepared to use his pace to break defensive lines, and as the lead striker in Postecoglou's 4-3-3 setup, he could be the perfect addition for the north London side.
A more established name in world football, Dusan Vlahovic has previously been linked with a move to Tottenham as Manchester City courted Kane two years ago. Ultimately the Serb signed for Juventus 18 months ago, yet has struggled to replicate his Fiorentina form for the Old Lady.
That being said, despite operating in an out-of-sorts Juventus side, Vlahovic still hit the back of the net 10 times in Italy's top tier last term, and if the Serie A outfit do need to raise funds, then the young striker is very much a sellable asset. Chelsea are also interested in Vlahovic, but whether they can afford him now is another matter entirely with Juventus rejecting the chance to sign Romelu Lukaku in a part-exchange.
Speaking of Lukaku, the Belgian's time at Stamford Bridge will end sooner rather than later. The club's previous record signing hasn't been assigned a number for the coming campaign, which effectively spells the end for Lukaku's second stint in west London. Inter and Juventus have turned down the chance to sign the 30-year-old, who to his credit, chipped in with 10 goals and six assists across 1663 minutes of Serie A game time last term.
With the promise of regular action in a system that would play to his strengths, Lukaku would certainly benefit from operating as the lead striker in Postecoglou's favoured 4-3-3 setup. The primary aim for the striker under the Australian is to come alive in the box, and simply put the ball in the back of the net. Whether Chelsea would sell to a rival remains to be seen, but he could rejuvenate his career in north London.
Randal Kolo Muani - Eintracht Frankfurt
Perhaps not one to be used primarily as a goalscorer, Randal Kolo Muani offers more than just goals. The Frenchman was one of only two players to register double figures for both goals (15) and assists (11) in the Bundesliga last season and a WhoScored rating of 7.29 was enough to make the 2022/23 best XI.
Only Joshua Kimmich (38) won possession in the attacking third more times than Muani (32) in Germany's top tier last term and the hard work off the ball would certainly appeal to Postecoglou. A willingness to pull to the flanks in pursuit of possession, too, would aid the wingers in support of the lead striker, who'd flourish with the space afforded to them when Muani does pull wide. He'd be an expensive option for Spurs, but if they're serious about replacing Kane; the 24-year-old should be a viable target.
