Transfer Centre

Tottenham Hotspur eyeing January move for PSV Eindhoven's Johan Bakayoko?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 01 December 2023

Tottenham eyeing January move for Johan Bakayoko?

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly prepare to rival Brentford for the signature of PSV Eindhoven and Belgium attacker Johan Bakayoko in January.

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly plan to rival Brentford for the services of PSV Eindhoven attacker Johan Bakayoko in the January transfer window.

The Belgium international spent time in the academy setups of Anderlecht and Club Brugge before joining PSV in the summer of 2019, and he has blossomed into a key player for the Dutch giants.

After a breakthrough 2022-23 season, in which he registered 10 goal contributions in the Eredivisie and won the KNVB-Beker, Bakayoko has elevated his game to another level in the current campaign.

The 20-year-old has four goals and 12 assists to show from 23 matches across all competitions, netting three times and setting up seven more goals in 13 Eredivisie matches for the Rood-witten.

Only teammate Joey Veerman and Feyenoord's Calvin Stengs have also registered as many Dutch top-flight assists as Bakayoko, whose efforts have helped PSV top the table with an astonishing 13 wins from 13 games so far.

PSV Eindhoven's Johan Bakayoko during training on September 19, 2023 © Reuters

The 2003-born attacker also completed the full 90 in Wednesday's 3-2 Champions League win over Sevilla, which confirmed PSV's spot in the last 16 of Europe's elite tournament as Group B runners-up behind Arsenal.

Bakayoko's rapid rise saw him earn his senior Belgium debut in March, and the winger now boasts one goal and two assists in nine appearances for his country, helping them seal a spot at Euro 2024.

PSV are not due to lose Bakayoko until the summer of 2026, having tied the youngster down to a new deal back in February, but his form has inevitably led to links with esteemed European clubs.

Liverpool are thought to be keeping a sharp eye on his displays, while Brentford allegedly tried to sign Bakayoko in the summer, only for the player to turn his nose up to the Bees.

According to Football Insider, Brentford are not prepared to give up that easily and have reignited their interest ahead of the January window, but Thomas Frank's team now face added competition from Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou reacts on November 11, 2023 © Reuters

The Lilywhites bolstered their attacking ranks significantly over the summer, bringing Manor Solomon, James Maddison and Alejo Veliz to the club in the wake of Harry Kane's exit to Bayern Munich.

However, injuries have decimated Ange Postecoglou's attacking ranks, as Maddison and Solomon are out until 2024 alongside Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon, while Richarlison underwent a groin operation last month.

With Son Heung-min also being thrust into a central role to good effect this season, Spurs are thought to be in the market for a new winger in January and have also been linked with Juventus' Samuel Iling-Junior.

Defensive additions are also high on Postecoglou's agenda in the wake of Micky van de Ven's serious thigh injury, and Spurs are said to have joined Manchester United in the race for Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo.

Tottenham sit fifth in the Premier League table heading into Sunday's daunting trip to Manchester City, and Postecoglou offered an injury update on his ravaged squad ahead of the clash with the champions.