Thomas Frank to feel let down by Tottenham board again as Jean-Philippe Mateta talks revealed

Thomas Frank could do with a reliable goalscorer up front.

Frank is under intense scrutiny at Spurs as his side sit 14th in the Premier League table, and although his tactics have been woeful, he could do with more attackers.

Jean-Philippe Mateta wants to leave Crystal Palace in the winter transfer window after failing to agree on a new contract with the club.

This came shortly after the news that manager Oliver Glasner would leave at the end of the season, while captain Marc Guehi moved to Man City on 19 January.

Tottenham were linked with Mateta in the summer, and as Palace continue to fall into disarray, Frank would relish the prospect of a clinical striker in his team.

Tottenham internally discussed signing Jean-Philippe Mateta in January

Mateta has scored eight Premier League goals this season, and his impressive form saw him earn his first international call-up for France in October.

Crystal Palace’s asking price for the 28-year-old is understood to be £40million, with Juventus and Aston Villa interested in signing him.

According to the iPaper on 22 January, he was discussed internally at Tottenham before the transfer window opened, although the North London outfit does not plan to explore a move.

This is a huge mistake for Spurs, who need a proven goalscorer with a spotless injury record to fire them up the table.

Joe Lewis has been under pressure to sell Tottenham, with fans furious at how the club has been run.

Spurs supporters feel that ENIC haven’t recruited well in the last decade, and if they pass up on Mateta, it would be another huge opportunity wasted.

Frank will be hugely frustrated that the board isn’t considering spending £40m for Mateta, especially given the attackers he’s currently working with.

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Tottenham’s striker options are much worse than Mateta

Richarlison started the season brilliantly for Tottenham, although his attitude off the ball has left Frank unimpressed, with injury now taking hold.

Randal Kolo Muani joined Spurs on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain, and he’s yet to score a Premier League goal.

Mathys Tel has been used sporadically as a number nine, but it’s clear that he isn’t rated highly by the Dane, with their relationship in tatters already.

Dominic Solanke is finally back from injury and scored in Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Dortmund on Tuesday, but his fitness levels have never been 100 per cent since moving to Spurs.

With Tel likely to leave Tottenham before the transfer deadline on 2 February, and Richarlison out injured until March, Spurs are desperate for firepower in attack.

Mateta ticks every box that Frank will look for, and there’s no logical reason why he isn’t being backed to sign him.

Even if Frank is sacked in the coming weeks, Mateta would work wonders for whoever is in charge, and the board needs to get their act together and change their mind on a potential deal for the 28-year-old.

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