Tottenham are still hunting for a new striker, and Roberto De Zerbi has been blunt that the club’s summer business isn’t done yet. With the Premier League season barely two weeks away, Spurs fans are growing anxious about the lack of firepower up top. Defence and midfield have both been strengthened significantly, but the attack remains a glaring gap, and the question on everyone’s lips is straightforward — who’s actually going to score the goals?
The concerns run deeper than just missing signings. James Maddison’s ACL injury has robbed Tottenham of a player whose creativity and goal contributions were central to the attack, even if he wasn’t a out-and-out striker. Dominic Solanke adds to the worry list after sitting out Saturday’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Getafe with an ankle issue, described as precautionary but still enough to unsettle supporters given how crucial he is to the side. Any extended Solanke absence would push Tottenham back toward relying on Richarlison, a player who has battled fitness and form problems since his move to North London.
One name that had sparked genuine excitement was Real Madrid’s Endrick, alongside Villarreal’s Georges Mikautadze as options being tracked by Spurs’ recruitment team. Some fans had even dared to dream of a surprise raid for the young Brazilian, but that hope has now taken a serious hit.
The Athletic report that Real Madrid have opted to keep Endrick at the Bernabéu for the 2026/27 campaign, effectively closing the door on any Tottenham move this summer. The forward shone on loan at Lyon in the second half of last season, netting eight goals in 21 outings and catching the eye of several top European clubs, Spurs included — but he’s chosen to stay and fight for a role in Madrid.
With José Mourinho now at the helm, Endrick is set to remain part of the squad and compete for minutes alongside Kylian Mbappé, no small task for the teenager, though Madrid clearly believe he deserves the chance to prove himself there.
Tottenham’s interest hasn’t necessarily died completely, though. Endrick’s situation is expected to be revisited in January, leaving the door open for Spurs to reignite talks during the winter window — especially if another attacking injury crisis strikes by then.
For now, though, De Zerbi is left searching elsewhere. Tottenham have done plenty of strong business already this summer, but there’s a real fear the attack could end up being the one weak link in an otherwise vastly improved squad. Yang Min-hyeok’s loan exit to Westerlo has only added to the headache, leaving De Zerbi without a single fully fit, natural right-sided attacker to call upon — a selection nightmare that raises the stakes on landing at least one more forward before deadline day.
The summer rebuild has been encouraging, but the missing piece is still a proven goalscorer. Whether that ends up being Mikautadze, another name from abroad, or a completely unexpected target, Tottenham can’t afford to send De Zerbi into a long Premier League campaign short of options up front. Endrick may be off the table for now, but the message from Spurs’ camp is clear — goals and attacking reinforcements are needed, and time is running out to find them.
