Why Randal Kolo Muani transfer to Tottenham makes sense but also shows fear inside club

Tottenham are set to add more Champions League experience to their squad in the shape of Randal Kolo Muani in a straight season-long loan without an option or obligation to buy.

Spurshave swooped for the 26-year-old France international from PSG in what is reportedly a €5million (£4.3million) deal, after Juventus were unable to tie up a deal to bring him to Turin permanently following his half-season loan in Serie A, where he netted eight goals in 16 league matches for the Italian giants.

football.london reported at the weekend that Thomas Frank had told Tottenham that he only wanted players who would improve the level of his starting XI rather than squad fillers in these final weeks of the window and that has certainly been the case so far with Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha and Xavi Simons coming through the door thus far. It's a long way removed from last summer's capture of one senior player in Dominic Solanke alongside a group of teenagers.

Muani adds to that in having ready-made pedigree, injecting further experience into the young squad. The forward, who has been capped 31 times by France and scored nine goals, has made 23 appearances in the Champions League, scoring three times, and has adapted and scored good numbers in Ligue 1, the Bundesliga and Serie A. He also played at this summer's Club World Cup.

Muani's move being a straight loan for the season is very unlike Tottenham, with the north London club almost always looking to secure a long-term future for any new loan signing in case they impress rather than coaching and trying to improve other club's players without something at the end of it.

However, this move points towards a fear of repeating the injury carnage of last season which ripped apart Ange Postecoglou's squad with double figures of unavailable players most weeks throughout the middle of the campaign. Most problematic of all was the long period when Solanke and Richarlison were both out so there was no natural striker up front.

Frank had ruled out signing another striker only as recently as Saturday after telling football.london that he was hopeful about Solanke's reoccurring ankle problem.

"No. I would say not particularly [we'll be signing another striker]. To have the three strikers in the squad can also cause a problem as you can only play one at a time. It’s a fine balance. I’m not saying we will never go for another striker at another time but I’m happy with Dom and Richarlison," said the Dane.

That other time instead looks to be now. Spurs remain hopeful over Solanke's ankle with an injection given to the player with the plan of settling it down over this international break and the club hope he will be back in action within a couple of weeks.

However, Tottenham have hoped for good news on many injuries in recent seasons and not got it. The imminent signing of Muani suggests they are planning this time in case the England international's ankle does not react to the treatment. There is also Richarlison's injury record to take into account for the Brazilian has missed large chunks of his Spurs career with various issues, even if right now he's in a good place and back in the Brazil squad.

Muani, who Spurs have considered as a signing numerous times in the past, will cover both players and can also, if required, play off the left or down the right. Tottenham will continue to look at other wingers in the final hours of the window with Bryan Gil set to depart to Girona permanently in a €10million (£8.6million deal) and the club willing to listen to late offers for Manor Solomon with some Premier League clubs having made enquiries.

If they cannot secure a new winger of the required quality for Frank at this late stage of the window then Muani does add to those who can play off the wing if required and they could hold off for another move for Manchester City's Savinho in January, a player who was up around the top of Frank's wanted list.

The player will have two years left on his contract when his season-long loan ends and rather than Tottenham it will be PSG who will decides what comes next. The two clubs have a strong relationship through those at the top, but if the forward impresses than any deal will be more expensive that it would have been in this moment.

It's a move that benefits Tottenham and Frank this season, even if it's very out of keeping, but it's also one borne of fear over the mess that occurred last season. It's a different way of working for Spurs but history suggests that might not be the worst thing in just looking for quality regardless of the long-term angle for fear of being left behind.

They need to keep up with their free-spending rivals who are all strengthening constantly and finally Tottenham appear to be assembling the firepower they require.