Tottenham suffer more heartbreak after transfer failings with Dejan Kulusevski set to be out until 2026 as severity of knee injury is finally revealed

It's more diabolical news for Spurs, coming hot on the heels of missing out on Eberechi Eze to rivals Arsenal, as attacking talent Kulusevski is unlikely to play again before 2026. The Sweden international injured his knee last season and the grim update casts another cloud over Thomas Frank's side, according to The Guardian. Spurs will be without James Maddsion until early next year and they've missed out on two key additions this summer in Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest.

This season was supposed to be a fresh start for everyone at the club after the departure of boss Ange Postecoglou and the joy of lifting the Europa League. With Champions League football on the horizon Spurs had hoped to land key signings to make them competitive against Europe's best. And while there have been some important arrivals like Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha, it's those who will be absent that are most keenly felt.

Tottenham head to the Etihad at midday on Saturday for a clash that most teams would dread, but not so for Frank's side. In all competitions, Pep Guardiola has lost nine games against Spurs in his managerial career, only losing more (10) against Liverpool.

One positive Spurs can hold on to for now is there's still time left in the current transfer window to make additions the side certainly need. Chairman Daniel Levy would also appreciate a good news story to move on from the Eze disaster, but he'll have to dig deep. Savinho is one option, but there are only two problems; he'll cost at least £80 million ($107m) and Man City don't want to sell him.