Tottenham Hotspur to ‘Open Talks’ to Sign 23-year-old Striker | OneFootball

Tottenham Step Up Interest in Arnaud Kalimuendo as Summer Plans Take Shape

Spurs Move Swiftly for Kalimuendo

Tottenham Hotspur’s summer transfer window may just have found its focal point. According to L’Équipe, “Tottenham have decided to accelerate in recent hours in the Arnaud Kalimuendo case (23 years old, under contract until June 2027).” With Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle United yet to formalise their interest, Spurs appear keen to move ahead of the competition.

Kalimuendo has been on the radar of several top European clubs after an impressive season with Rennes, where he notched 18 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions. He represents a profile Tottenham have lacked in recent years: mobile, instinctive in the box, and able to operate both as a central striker and wider forward in a flexible front line.

Ange Postecoglou’s season in charge highlighted the need for further firepower. While Son Heung-min and Richarlison provided flashes of quality, there remained a lingering sense that Spurs lacked a reliable centre-forward who could carry the goal burden. Kalimuendo, still only 23, could offer that blend of youth and top-level experience.

Photo: IMAGO

Talks Begin but No Offer Yet

Despite the growing urgency, Spurs have not yet tabled a formal bid. Instead, L’Équipe reports that they will “channel their interest by contacting Rennes management to begin talks.” The North London side are believed to be awaiting clarity on Rennes’ valuation before deciding on the structure of any approach.

Kalimuendo’s contract, which runs until 2027, places Rennes in a strong negotiating position. Given the striker’s output and development since his Paris Saint-Germain academy days, they are unlikely to let him go cheaply. Spurs, therefore, may need to move decisively to prevent rivals from reigniting their own interest.

There is no suggestion at this stage that personal terms would be an issue. Kalimuendo has previously expressed ambition to play in the Premier League, and the project at Tottenham under Thomas Frank could prove enticing for a player looking to make his mark on a bigger stage.

Photo IMAGO

Tactical Fit and Squad Implications

Kalimuendo would not simply be a Harry Kane replacement, his profile is quite different. But his quick feet, strong movement and sharp finishing could complement the likes of Son, Kulusevski and Maddison.

It would also spell more defined roles across the front line. Richarlison could continue to operate as a physical forward, while Kalimuendo would offer a different dimension, greater agility and instinct inside the box. It could allow Spurs to rotate more effectively across a packed fixture schedule.

Market Competition Remains a Threat

While Spurs have taken the initiative, other clubs remain in the background. Both Newcastle and Leverkusen have held preliminary discussions, and with Kalimuendo’s value rising, a bidding war cannot be ruled out. L’Équipe’s report suggests Tottenham’s urgency may be driven by fear of missing out rather than long-term planning.

Still, Spurs fans will be heartened by early signs of assertiveness in the market, particularly with European qualification secured and the need to build on Postecoglou’s early foundations.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Tottenham supporters, the prospect of signing Arnaud Kalimuendo feels both exciting and pragmatic. This isn’t a Galáctico-style signing, it’s a move for a rising star who fits the club’s new ethos: youthful, versatile, hungry. There’s real appeal in seeing a striker come in with pace, directness and an eye for goal.

After a season of patchy attacking fluency, fans have been crying out for an alternative to Richarlison. Kalimuendo’s numbers in France are impressive, but it’s the manner of his goals, his clever movement, timing and composure, that really excite. He doesn’t just score, he scores with intent.

There’s a quiet confidence growing in how Frank and the recruitment team are handling this window. No chaos, no desperation, just targeted moves at the right age and price point. If Spurs can secure Kalimuendo early, it gives them a weapon who can be developed into a consistent Premier League threat.

He’s not a ready-made star, but he might be exactly the kind of striker Tottenham need right now.