Signing a striker is likely to be a priority for Tottenham Hotspur in January after their struggles in front of goal this season.

Roberto De Zerbi and Co. are among the least productive sides in the Premier League, netting only 10 goals in 10 matches. Of these, only two have come from their forwards, Omar Marmoush and Dominic Solanke.

Marmoush was brought in from Manchester City on loan to solve the club’s goalscoring woes, but he has failed to make an immediate impact. Solanke has struggled for consistency and fitness, scoring just eight goals in all competitions since the beginning of last season. With Richarlison exiled from the squad and expected to be sold in the winter window, the Lilywhites have begun exploring strikers ahead of January.

Tottenham suffer blow in pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker

Recent reports suggested that Tottenham scouted Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib (who plays a bit like Miroslav Klose) against FC Koln in a Bundesliga game. The trip turned out to be productive for the scouts as he scored the pivotal goal in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 1-0 victory over FC Koln.

Younes Ebnoutalib could spark a transfer battle between the European clubs following his strong start to the Bundesliga campaign. The 23-year-old is currently one of the key players in Eintracht Frankfurt’s side, with six goals and one assist in nine league games. Spurs are one of the several clubs across Europe impressed by the German international’s goalscoring ability, but they have been handed a blow in their pursuit.

According to German newspaper SportBILD (h/t Sport Witness), Ebnoutalib has no interest in moving to the Premier League next year. Instead, the centre-forward wants to stay in the Bundesliga if he decides to leave Frankfurt.

There is no shortage of interest in the Frankfurt man. Juventus have reportedly contacted the player’s agent to register their interest in him, but it is unclear whether they will make a move in January or the summer at this stage. Spurs have done that as well, but given the German striker’s preference for staying in the Bundesliga, it’d be tough for the N17 bosses to convince him to move to the Premier League.

Keeping that in mind, the Lilywhites must explore alternative targets to Ebnoutalib to reinforce their attacking unit in the mid-season trading period. It’d be pointless to try to convince the player to want to join them if he is not keen to leave Germany.