Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been filled with challenges, with their hopes of securing European football hanging by a thread.
Currently positioned 13th in the Premier League, Spurs are highly unlikely to qualify for Europe through their league finish. Their only realistic path to securing a spot is by winning the Europa League.
With the club’s future in Europe uncertain, speculation has emerged regarding the long-term futures of several key players.
Ian Darke: Dominic Solanke to attract significant interest in the summer
TV commentator Ian Darke has suggested that Dominic Solanke, in particular, could attract significant interest from other clubs if Tottenham fail to qualify.
Darke pointed out that while Spurs boast a promising core of young talents, including Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, and Brennan Johnson—who are expected to remain at the club—Solanke’s situation could be different.
As one of the Premier League’s most consistent strikers, the 27-year-old would likely be a top target for clubs in need of a prolific forward should the Lilywhites miss out on Europe.
Darke also highlighted that players like Micky van de Ven and James Maddison could be on the radar of top teams, though Solanke would be the most in demand.
Speaking to Tottenham News, the commentator stated:
“They’ve got plenty of new and younger players who I think would stick around regardless. Tel looks like he’ll be at Tottenham permanently, and then there’s Danso; Brennan Johnson should stay.
“Solanke is one of the top four or five strikers in the Premier League and I’d say he will likely be a target when fit if they’re not in Europe; Micky van de Ven might have a lot of admirers and then there’s James Maddison too.
“I’m not sure if too many of them, based on this year’s form, have forced themselves onto the radar of many big clubs. I would lean towards Solanke having the most admirers.”
Solanke’s time at Tottenham
Tottenham signed Solanke from Bournemouth in August 2024 for a club-record fee of £55 million, potentially rising to £65 million with add-ons. He made an immediate impact, netting his first Premier League goal in a 3-1 win over Brentford and scoring his first European goal in a 3-0 victory against Qarabağ FK in the Europa League.
However, an untimely knee injury in January has kept him sidelined for 12 matches. Despite this setback, he has still managed 11 goals and six assists in 29 appearances across all competitions.
With Champions League qualification now hinging on their Europa League campaign, Tottenham must not only secure silverware but also retain key figures like Solanke to build for the future.