Tottenham have contacted the agent of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib to register their interest, and Juventus have done exactly the same.
The 23-year-old has eight goals and two assists in ten games this season, and his form has convinced Spurs to take the first steps towards a deal. According to Sky Deutschland, Tottenham and Juventus are now the most prominent suitors for the newly capped Germany international.
What is still unclear is the timing. Nobody yet knows whether Ebnoutalib would be open to a move in January or would rather wait until next summer.
Why are Tottenham chasing Younes Ebnoutalib?
The numbers do most of the talking. Ebnoutalib has played 675 minutes this season and been directly involved in a goal every 67.5 of them. That run earned him his Germany debut in September and pushed his Transfermarkt value up to €18m, the highest it has ever been.
Spurs know exactly where that would help. Only one of the seven goals in the three wins that kicked off the revival came from a striker, and a forward who scores this often would fix that problem quickly.
From the second division to a Germany cap in a year
His rise has been quick. Ebnoutalib only joined Frankfurt from second-division side SV Elversberg in January, and Celtic reportedly wanted him before he chose the Bundesliga.
It did not start smoothly. He made his debut later that month and then suffered a ligament tear, which kept him out until April. He still managed a goal in 131 minutes across five appearances in the second half of last season, and this campaign he has kicked on.
A contract to 2031, but the renewal talks have stalled
The striker is tied to Frankfurt until 2031, so this would not be a cheap or easy deal. There is a twist, though. Markus Krösche, who had held talks with Ebnoutalib about a new contract, has stepped down as the club’s sporting director.
His successor, Joti Chatzialexiou, does not take charge until February, and he is expected to restart those renewal talks then. That leaves a gap, and Spurs, Juventus or anyone else could use it to try to persuade the forward to move as early as the winter window.
Where does he fit in the Spurs striker search?
Ebnoutalib is not the only name on the list. Roberto De Zerbi would love a reunion with Marseille forward Amine Gouiri, but that one depends on moving a striker on first. The club have also had to decide what to do with Dominic Solanke.
The difference here is that Spurs have now gone past watching. Calling the agent is a real step, and with Juventus doing the same, the race is already on.
Is Younes Ebnoutalib worth a January move for Spurs?
For me, this one makes sense. He is 23, he is in form, and his value is still at a level Spurs can afford. The ligament injury is worth keeping in mind, but he has come back from it and has been scoring ever since.
The hard part is Frankfurt. A contract to 2031 gives them all the power, and they will not want to sell a striker in this kind of form in the middle of the season. If Spurs want him, the window before Chatzialexiou arrives in February may be the best chance they get, because once the renewal talks restart, the price will only go one way.
