Indeed, it was surprise hero Joao Palhinha who proved the rescue man in the latter weeks of the season, the Portuguese midfielder scoring on the final day against Everton to seal his place as the second-highest scorer at the club with just five Premier League goals.
Be it Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel or Xavi Simons, the options on the flanks left plenty to be desired, a far cry from Bale and co in their Spurs pomp.
The Welshman was a force to be reckoned with at his best, a powerhouse presence who could win a game on his own. Roberto De Zerbi doesn't have anything close right now.
Why Spurs need to sign a new winger this summer
The Lilywhites might've thought they'd solved their attacking issues last summer after bringing Simons and Mohammed Kudus into the fold, although neither man enjoyed a particularly promising first season at the club.
In Simons' case, his mixed campaign was cut short by an ACL injury, having scored only twice across 19 league starts following his £52m arrival from RB Leipzig.
As for Kudus, the ex-West Ham United man did start brightly, although he was hardly seen himself in 2026 due to injury, ultimately recording the same record as the Dutchman with just two goals in 19 starts.
It was a similar tale of injury woe for Wilson Odobert, while 2024/25 top scorer, Brennan Johnson, was sold on in January, just a matter of months on from his crucial Europa League final involvement.
There has been talk of a return for Kolo Muani, although that should be shunned after his tally of one league goal last term, while the aforementioned Tel only scored four times himself on the opposite flank.
Spurs - PL Top Scorers 25/26
Player
Goals
|
Richarlison
|
11
|
|
Palhinha
|
5
|
|
Romero
|
4
|
|
Van de Ven
|
4
|
|
Tel
|
4
|
|
Solanke
|
3
|
|
Simons
|
2
|
|
Kudus
|
2
|
|
Sarr
|
2
|
|
Gray
|
2
|
The level has been allowed to drop so significantly following the highs of the last decade or so, with Son memorably notching 24 goals in 2021/22, his best Premier League return, while Bale hit 22 top-flight goals back in that standout 2012/13 season.
That's the kind of level the club needs to get back to, with moves potentially on the cards this summer.
Why £60m Spurs target could have shades of Bale
Versatile, mobile forwards do appear to be on the agenda for ENIC this summer, with both Marcus Rashford and Rafael Leao fitting the brief as left-sided players who can also operate through the middle.
Considering Mateus Fernandes is the only signing made this summer under the age of 26, however, Spurs might be inclined to pursue further signings for the long-term, with a balance needing to be struck in that regard.
Well, one man who might again be in contention is Manchester City's Savinho, with the Brazilian long linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
According to talkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs - speaking on the Last Word on Spurs podcast - talks regarding the 22-year-old are still "ongoing".
"So at the time we're live, Savinho talks are ongoing. Ferran Soriano, not even Pep Guardiola, but the board member Ferran Soriano blocked that move last summer because he felt like it was a mistake to sell Savinho at any price.
"Flash forwards now under Enzo Moresca and it might be a slightly different story and talks there are ongoing".
As Jacobs went on to add, City are likely keen to rake in double what they paid for the £30m winger, suggesting that a £60m fee could be needed to prise him from the Etihad.
That might appear steep for a young talent who scored just one Premier League goal last season, yet there's plenty to like about the ex-Girona sensation.
He's lightning fast and such a threat on either flank, in a similar mould to a young Bale in that sense, someone who could well be a world-beater if he hones his raw talent under the right coach.
The depth at Pep Guardiola's disposal ensured that regular game time was limited last term at the Etihad, although in the right environment, Savinho could well flourish.
In 2024/25, for instance, the left-footer did score only once again, yet racked up eight assists and created 11 'big chances', having also averaged a stellar 1.6 key passes per game.
That follows on from the fine form he showcased out in Spain, where he registered 19 goals and assists in 2023/24, while creating 14 'big chances' and averaging 1.5 key passes per game.
What particularly stood out was just how effective Savinho was as a ball-carrier that season, immense at beating his man with his innate blend of speed and skill.
Indeed, he averaged a remarkable 2.8 successful dribbles per game, while his total tally of 104 was the best in the whole of LaLiga.
That speaks to what the £60m man can offer when fit and firing, with that dribbling prowess again highlighting a likeness to Bale, with the now-retired hero such a weapon himself in 1v1 situations.
It hasn't worked out as yet for Savinho in English football, but perhaps working under De Zerbi could well get the best out of him.
8 hours ago
2
Gareth Bale celebrates for Tottenham.
English (US) · 
French (CA) ·