Antoine Semenyo: Tottenham boss Thomas Frank reveals Spurs 'did everything' to sign forward before Man City move

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says the club "did everything" to bring Antoine Semenyo to Spurs before he joined Manchester City from Bournemouth this month.

Frank believes the failed pursuit of Semenyo shows the Lewis family, whose trust have a majority shareholding in Spurs, are "very committed" to the project, as he defended the club's transfer strategy.

Spurs have only brought in Conor Gallagher and Souza so far in this window, despite their need to bring in a left-sided forward increasing, with injuries to Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison and the sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace.

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Spurs were one of many Premier League clubs that were in for Semenyo at Bournemouth in this transfer window before he joined Man City in a £64m deal.

Tottenham tried to sign the Ghana international in the summer before he signed a new Cherries deal.

Semenyo scored a match-winning goal for Bournemouth against Spurs earlier this month before he left for City, and Frank will be hoping he does not hurt his side again on Sunday as Tottenham host Man City, live on Sky Sports.

Missing out on Semenyo this month, combined with a lack of transfer activity, has seen the club's hierarchy come under criticism from fans, but Frank has backed their approach.

Asked if there is a chance Spurs may not sign any more players before Monday's 7pm deadline, Frank replied: "The club work relentlessly to try to do the best they can to try to improve the squad, especially Johan (Lange), Fabio (Paritici) and Vinai (Venkatesham), and all the people behind them.

"I mean it, we can't be too obsessed with short-term fixes that don't help with the long term, because if we don't do that, then all the hard work we put in now can be limited for the future.

"And that's not that we don't badly want short-term success. I can promise that the Lewis family is super committed to this project; they want to do everything.

"And I will go against my rule, hopefully only once, that there's no doubt it was clear that the club wanted to sign Semenyo.

"They did everything - I think that's a clear signal that the Lewis family is very committed. That's a big signing with finances and all that.

"So that's the quality of players we're looking for to improve the squad, and if we can't find that, then it's definitely better to take the right decisions.

"Not just saying we're just getting quality players going forward because we all know it's not that easy, and I'm sure, for whatever reason, we are not able to get another player or players in this window, then for the summer it's a big summer ahead, and I'm not in doubt we'll see big improvements there."

Frank responds to planned protests

It was put to Frank that supporters want more actions than words, with a protest planned by fan group 'Change for Tottenham' before and during Sunday's visit of City with the slogan 'it's time to act' after largely quiet business this month.

Fans are also frustrated with the club's dismal Premier League form this season, with the club sitting 14th in the table, having won just two of their last 14 league games.

Frank countered about the protests: "The fans just want the best for the club. Just like I want (the best), the owners, the staff, the players, everyone wants the best for the club, but I also think it's fair to say that the transfer window is not Football Manager unfortunately. It is not.

"It would be a lot easier, but also a little bit more boring. We would not have as many good stories to talk about.

"In the last 30 days, you couldn't go to work basically because there is nothing to write about or talk about. So, it is very difficult the transfer market. It's an art, it's a craftsmanship."

Frank revealed a late call would be made on Micky van de Ven after he missed the impressive midweek victory at Eintracht Frankfurt with a "minor" injury, but Spurs could still be without eight players despite Pedro Porro and Richarlison being primed for a return at the end of February.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Antoine Semenyo: Tottenham boss Thomas Frank reveals Spurs 'did everything' to sign forward before Man City move