Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank says Spurs are not close to spending £100m on a single player, unlike north London rivals Arsenal.
Spurs have undergone major changes following Daniel Levy’s departure as chairman and the appointment of a new leadership team by the Lewis family. While plans are in place to grow the business and improve on-field success, Frank believes matching Arsenal’s big-money approach is still some way off. Arsenal set the standard with their £105m signing of Declan Rice in 2023, while Tottenham’s record purchase remains the £60m deal for Richarlison in 2022.
Frank questioned whether former boss Ange Postecoglou was right to claim Spurs would never spend £100m on one player. “In the next 50 years? Then yes,” he said, adding that sustainable success requires time, strong processes and smart investment rather than simply spending huge sums.
He stressed the importance of player development, saying not every top-level footballer needs to be bought for £60m–£90m. Frank pointed to Liverpool and Manchester City as examples of clubs that reached the top without relying solely on record-breaking transfers. He also highlighted the importance of signing players with the right profile, such as Declan Rice joining Arsenal in his mid-20s.
Tottenham recently received £100m in funding from the Lewis family, with further investment expected. Frank said he is confident the club’s owners are committed to long-term success and will support him in building a competitive team.
