Dejan Kulusevski's importance to Antonio Conte's Tottenham team was clear for all to see during his recent injury absence. Playing a pivotal role in helping the Lilywhites seal a Champions League berth last campaign, the Swede carried his form into the new season before a hamstring issue sustained on international duty saw him sit out ten games.
Tottenham struggled in the final third as a result of his injury, lacking a player who could come into the side and produce something special up front to benefit Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. Needing to find an alternative for the 22-year-old as they cannot afford to find themselves in the same position once again, Fabio Paratici must work his magic in the transfer market and sign another creative player for Conte.
So which players at the World Cup could he take a look at over the next few weeks? football.london takes a look at seven different options.
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Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
Gakpo looks destined for a move away from PSV at some point in the not-too-distant future after excelling for his club in the Eredivisie over the past couple of seasons. Contributing with 21 goals and 15 assists from 47 games in 2021/22, the 23-year-old's prolific form has continued this term as he so far has an incredible 30 goal involvements (13 goals and 17 assists) from 24 games.
Operating on the left wing for PSV, Gakpo also has experience playing across the frontline as he has played on the right, up front and just behind the striker. Starting in an attacking midfield role for the Netherlands in their World Cup opener against Senegal, the highly-rated player opened the scoring late on with a good header.
With 55 goals and 50 assists from 159 PSV games, Gakpo would definitely add to Tottenham's attacking qualities and also take on the creative responsibility when Kulusevski is not in the team. A good World Cup and his price tag and suitors will only increase as a result.
Daichi Kamada (Japan)
Paratici does like a bargain in the transfer market, as has been the case at both Tottenham and Juventus. He could well look to strike another in the shape of Kamada as the 26-year-old's contract with Eintracht Frankfurt does expire in the summer.
The player recently admitted that he is in discussions with his club to extend his deal, yet interest from other sides could sway his final decision. After all, clubs outside of Germany will be able to discuss a summer move for him come January.
Mainly playing as an attacking midfielder, Kamada, just like Gakpo, has played across the frontline and contributed regularly with goals and assists. With 12 goals and four assists from 22 games so far this campaign, the Japan star is well on track to surpassing his numbers from last term.
Marco Asensio (Spain)
Asensio is another player who will be available on a free transfer next summer as things stand. Although starts have been extremely hard to come by in both LaLiga and the Champions League, the Real Madrid ace has indicated that he is hopeful a contract renewal can be done as he is happy at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Things do change in football, though, and talk regarding his future will only stop once the ink is dry on a brand new contract. Linked with a number of the Premier League's biggest clubs, Asensio would add some real quality to Tottenham's attack as he has chipped in with 52 goals and 27 assists from his 250 Real Madrid games.
Scoring for Spain in their 7-0 rout of Costa Rica on Wednesday evening, the fact the player can operate in a variety of attacking positions would be a huge positive to both Conte and Spurs.
Dani Olmo (Spain)
Staying with the Spanish national team, Olmo was also on the scoresheet in the drubbing of Costa Rica as he netted the first before teeing up Alvaro Morata for the final goal of the night. Wowing for Dinamo Zagreb prior to his move to RB Leipzig, the 24-year-old has continued to contribute in attack with 19 goals and 22 assists in his 106 games for the German side.
Olmo, who is valued at £34m by Transfermarkt, would cost a decent amount of money but interested clubs may be able to save a bit as he is soon set to enter the final 18 months of his deal. Comfortable on either flank or as an attacking midfielder, the Spaniard is reportedly attracting interest from teams such as Man City, Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to name a few.
Leandro Trossard (Belgium)
Trossard is having quite the season at Brighton but he was named as a substitute for Belgium's World Cup win over Canada on Wednesday evening. He did come on for the final 28 minutes, however, and will be pushing for a start in their next match against Morocco.
The 27-year-old has started the 2022/23 campaign on fire and will surpass his numbers of eight goals and three assists from last season by some way as he is only one goal behind and level on assists after 14 games. A host of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea, have been linked with the winger but Brighton are keen on extending his deal beyond the end of this campaign, with the club currently having the option to extend his contract by a further 12 months.
Maybe operating from the same side as Son, Trossard would really add to Conte's attackers and certainly help solve the creativity issue that arises when Kulusevski is absent.
James Maddison (England)
Amid fears that he would miss out on the England World Cup squad despite his stunning form for Leicester, Gareth Southgate handed Maddison a call-up to the national team for the tournament in Qatar. Absent for the first match through injury, the ex-Norwich City ace is reportedly set to miss out once again on Friday when the Three Lions take on the United States.
While it remains to be seen if Maddison will play a part for the team during the tournament, eyes will certainly be on him if he is called upon from the bench by Southgate. Linked with Tottenham in the past, Paratici will already know plenty about the 26-year-old after scoring in his past two games against the Lilywhites.
Registering 30 goal involvements in 53 matches last season, Maddison has an impressive seven goals and four assists to his name from 14 games this term for the struggling Foxes. Approaching the final 18 months of his contract, Maddison will be a regular in the headlines come January as clubs will no doubt look to make a move for him.
Mohammed Kudus (Ghana)
Heavily tipped to join Everton in the summer only for Ajax not to sanction a move, Kudus has made quite a name for himself for the Dutch giants in 22/23 despite a lack of league starts. Hitting ten goals and two assists from his 21 games in all competitions, the 22-year-old netted eye-catching strikes against Rangers and Liverpool in the Champions League as he scored in four of their six group fixtures.
Although mainly operating as centre forward for Ajax in his game time this season, Kudus has experience to boot in a variety of positions, notably an attacking midfield role. His price tag will only have increased since the start of the season, and it could indeed skyrocket once again if he wows for Ghana at the World Cup.
It is worth noting that Tottenham do have a good relationship with Ajax having signed Cristian Eriksen, Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen from them in the past. However, Spurs won't have it all their own way if they want to move for Kudus as Liverpool have also been linked with a move for the player.
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