Tottenham target Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis in £84m January swoop
Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a swoop for prolific Benfica centre-forward Vangelis Pavlidis, according to CaughtOffside. The 27-year-old Greek international has 17 goal contributions in 13 games this season, and Roberto De Zerbi has made signing a new striker his top January priority.
- Player: Vangelis Pavlidis, 27, Greece international centre-forward
- Current club: Benfica
- Fee: £84m release clause
- Interested clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Fulham, Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus
- Stage: Tottenham scouting; concrete talks unlikely until summer
- Next fixture: Tottenham vs Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday
Deal details
Benfica are not open to Pavlidis's departure in January and have placed an £84m release clause in his contract, as per the report. Tottenham will therefore have to wait until the summer to begin concrete talks. Spurs have been scouting the 27-year-old as they look to strengthen their centre-forward options.
The Greece international is reportedly open to a Premier League move. Tottenham will face competition from Aston Villa and Fulham, as well as Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus, CaughtOffside adds. The report claims that signing a new centre-forward is Roberto De Zerbi's 'top priority' in the January transfer window.
Pavlidis has been one of the most consistently prolific centre-forwards in Portugal in recent seasons. His form has increased interest from several top clubs across Europe. Former Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Dutch international centre-forward Wim Kieft described him as a 'fantastic target man'.
The numbers
- 2026/27 season: 17 goal contributions in 13 games for Benfica
- VfL Bochum academy: 33 goal contributions in 45 games for the U19
- Willem: 33 goals and 14 assists in 82 games
- AZ Alkmaar: 80 goals
- Release clause: £84m
What was said
"fantastic target man"
Kieft's description underlines the physical and technical profile that has attracted Tottenham. The 27-year-old is a traditional centre-forward who can lead the line and score goals. That is precisely what De Zerbi's side have lacked this season.
Why Tottenham need Pavlidis now
Tottenham have had a disastrous start to the current campaign. They sit at the bottom of the Premier League table and have failed to win any games. De Zerbi's current centre-forward options have not delivered, and the manager will hope they find form at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Signing a new No 9 is the club's top priority in January. Vangelis Pavlidis fits the profile: he is 27, in his prime, and scoring at a relentless rate in the Primeira Liga. His movement in the box and ability to finish with either foot would give Spurs a focal point they currently lack.
Benfica's stance complicates a January deal. The Portuguese club are not open to selling mid-season and have protected their asset with an £84m release clause. That figure is steep but reflects his 17 goal contributions in 13 games. If Tottenham wait until summer, they risk losing him to rival suitors.
Competition is fierce. Aston Villa and Fulham provide Premier League opposition, while Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus offer continental appeal. Pavlidis is reportedly open to a Premier League move, which gives Tottenham an edge, but they must act decisively when the window opens.
Talking points
- Should Tottenham pay £84m for a 27-year-old with no Premier League experience, or look elsewhere?
- Is waiting until summer a mistake when Aston Villa, Fulham, Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus are circling?
- Can Pavlidis solve Spurs' goalscoring problems, or is the issue deeper than a new striker?
- With Tottenham bottom of the table, would Pavlidis even choose a relegation battle over Barcelona or Milan?
What happens next
Tottenham face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, hoping their current centre-forward options can deliver a first win of the season. Meanwhile, the club will continue to scout Pavlidis ahead of a potential summer move. Benfica's refusal to sell in January means any concrete talks will have to wait, but the race for his signature is already heating up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tottenham signing Vangelis Pavlidis in January?
Benfica are not open to his departure in January, so a deal is unlikely before the summer. Tottenham have been scouting him and have made signing a centre-forward their top priority.
How much would Vangelis Pavlidis cost?
He has an £84m release clause in his Benfica contract, according to CaughtOffside.
Which clubs are interested in Vangelis Pavlidis?
Tottenham, Aston Villa, Fulham, Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus are all interested, according to the report.
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