At least one new forward looks almost certain to arrive at Tottenham Hotspur before deadline day, although Eli Junior Kroupi seemingly won't be one of them.

There had been claims that the 20-year-old was open to moving to north London after just a solitary season on the south coast, albeit with the Cherries always reticent to sell a player valued at north of £90m.

Any hopes of tempting Marco Rose's side into a sale appear to have now been ended by the news that Kroupi will be out of action for up to four months due to a metatarsal injury, a setback that will almost certainly end talk of an exit.

A blow then for Roberto De Zerbi and co, although all is not lost, with alternatives both internally and externally to consider.

Why Spurs might already have their own Kroupi

There's no denying that it was a standout 2025/26 for Kroupi, the then-teenager enjoying a record-breaking first season in the Premier League, following his arrival from Lorient last year.

And yet, forking out an eye-watering fee for a player who actually only started 21 league games last term might have been a risk anyway, with there a sense that the Frenchman still needs to prove himself over an extended period.

Equally too, Spurs already have their own young talents to nurture and develop, with Kroupi's compatriot, Mathys Tel, serving a reminder of his quality in recent pre-season outings.

Like Kroupi, Tel is another young, dynamic forward who can thrive off the left or through the middle, the 21-year-old notably supplying the assist for Richarlison against Auckland FC following a stunning, surging run down the flanks.

More recently too, the ex-Bayern Munich starlet rifled in an outrageous free-kick against Sydney FC, having really staked his claim for a more prominent role under De Zerbi next season.

It hasn't quite happened in a Tottenham shirt as yet, but there's no denying Tel's talent and potential, as he showed previously during his time in Germany.

In 2023/24, for instance, the youngster scored ten goals in all competitions for Bayern, despite only starting ten games, having scored once every 149 minutes in the Bundesliga, while missing just two 'big chances'.

That clinicality was mirrored by Kroupi last time out, his 13 league goals coming at a rate of one every 130 minutes, as he missed just three 'big chances'.

Tel might well be the Kroupi-style asset De Zerbi is chasing, although that's not say there can't still be marquee moves made in that department.

How Spurs could sign an elite-level Kroupi this summer

Supporters are still waiting eagerly to learn just who Tottenham's 'bomba' signing will be, with another forward expected to sign in a separate deal to the club's pursuit of Savinho.

The Lilywhites are said to have already agreed personal terms with the Brazilian, with there a confidence that the 22-year-old will be plucked from Manchester City sooner rather than later.

ENIC could also look to Manchester for another statement addition too, with talkSPORT's Alex Crook suggesting that Spurs are one to keep an eye on in the race for Marcus Rashford, with the 28-year-old set to be available for a fee of around £30m.

Rashford has been tipped to be reintegrated back into Manchester United's first-team after an 18-month exile, although there is still a sense that his time at Old Trafford has come and gone, with a sale the best solution for all parties.

If Spurs can win the race for his signature, it's difficult to see it as anything other than a coup, with the England star such a force at his best in his favoured left channel.

Like Kroupi, Rashford can flit between operating as a left-winger or number ten, proving so deadly when striking from range having produced a stunning array of finishes across his career to date.

Even just last season, for instance, 'Rashy' rifled in a free-kick against rivals Real Madrid, while also memorably netting two thumping efforts against Newcastle United in the Champions League.

Kroupi, who scored what proved to be a decisive goal in the title race against Manchester City, has that knack for the spectacular too, yet Rashford has showcased his quality for so long, ever since bursting onto the scene as an 18-year-old a decade ago.

Indeed, in 426 games for his parent club, the Carrington academy graduate has scored 138 goals, while at Premier League level, he's scored 89 in 297 games to date.

This is a player who also scored and assisted ten goals in just 17 games on loan at Aston Villa, while also chalking up 28 goal involvements for Barcelona in 2025/26, helping to propel the Catalan side to the LaLiga title.

Kroupi, at 20, is still finding his feet at senior level, yet Rashford could well be entering his prime, the type of talent who could be a game-changer for De Zerbi and co.