Thomas Frank gets last laugh after dramatic late twists transform Spurs’ transfer window

There were moments when Spurs’ transfer window looked like becoming a disaster but Thomas Frank’s side’s late business demonstrated it’s not over until it’s over

Tottenham spent much of the summer being the laughing stock of the transfer window. But, now the window has finally shut, it is Spurs boss Thomas Frank who is entitled to have the last laugh.

After missing out on the likes of Eberechi Eze, Morgan Gibbs-White and Bryan Mbeumo, it looks like it was going to be a summer of frustration. Tottenham saw Eze go to bitter rivals Arsenal, Gibbs-White opted to stay at Nottingham Forest and Mbeumo chose Manchester United ahead of Spurs.

But if you look at the end result after spending in excess of £170m, they have emerged with a much stronger squad, proven internationals and better options in key areas. And just to put the cherry on the cake, they also did their own piece of gazumping by signing Holland international Xavi Simons for £51m from RB Leipzig from under Chelsea’s noses.

If Arsenal can do it, then so can Tottenham. And the reality is that Tottenham have greater depth, an ambitious new manager in Frank and also the rewards of playing in the Champions League this season.

They did also recoup £45m by cashing in on Son Heung-min, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bryan Gil which means their net spend was £125m. The figures actually mean that Tottenham are the fourth biggest net spenders in the Premier League in the past five years, behind only Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

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It is hard to criticise chairman Daniel Levy on the outlay – it is just they have not tended to spend the money wisely. That is something they have been determined to change this summer and it has been done with joined up thinking between Frank, technical director Johan Lange, Levy, new chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and other members of the recruitment and scouting team.

Last season ended on a high for Tottenham as Ange Postecoglou’s parting gift was the Europa League. But the reason why they lost 22 games and conceded 65 goals in the Premier League was not just a leaky defence.

You had to be pretty naive not to see Tottenham were crying out for a midfield anchorman and the season-long deal – for just over £4m in a loan fee – for Joao Palhinha is astonishing business. That might just be one of the best deals of the summer as they recruited the Portugal international from Bayern Munich knowing full well he was sensational and so consistent for Fulham. They also have an option to buy him next summer for just £27m.

They spent £55m on Mohammed Kudus from West Ham and Frank’s influence has been obvious as now Tottenham do not just have a quality wide player but also one that works very hard. Simons has been destined for Chelsea all summer and yet, with no deal done, Tottenham swooped and his quality as a No10 is a perfect fit after they lost James Maddison for most of the season with a knee injury.

They probably did not have that position in their sights until Maddison got injured but they pressed the button on Simons and they have international quality. They spent £5m on Kota Takai as one for the future, turned Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso into permanent deals – then saved perhaps the most eye-catching for last.

When Randal Kolo Muani became available late on in the window, Tottenham were quick to do a deal with Paris Saint Germain for bargain money. All in all, it leaves Tottenham with better attacking options, experience and quality in midfield and a squad which looks markedly stronger at the end of the window. And that, as any manager or sporting director will testify, is the biggest aim of all.

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