The January transfer window is drawing ever closer, and Tottenham may look to use next month to bring in new signings, or let players leave the club.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men once again endured something of a tricky summer transfer window, as they had to wait to do all their business within the final eight days of the window, bringing in Davinson Sanchez, Juan Foyth, Paulo Gazzaniga, Serge Aurier and Fernando Llorente.
Some have criticised Tottenham for leaving their summer transfer activity so late, and Pochettino could now look to strike some deals next month in order to push for the top four, given that the title race is already over.
With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for Tottenham’s January transfer window…
1. Resolve Danny Rose’s future once and for all
Having hinted at his unhappiness just days before the start of the season, question marks still hang over the future of Danny Rose. The 27-year-old is now back fit after missing nine months of the year with a knee injury, and his solid performances have triggered interest, with the Daily Mail claiming that Manchester United are hopeful of sealing a January deal. Next month, Spurs need to decide one way or another whether Rose is leaving or whether to try and tempt him into staying, and if he appears to be heading for the exit, setting the wheels in motion to sign Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham would be smart.
2. Make a decision on Ross Barkley
This time last year, Tottenham were being linked with a January move for Ross Barkley – and a year on, the situation remains the same. Barkley’s contract at Everton expires next summer, meaning he will be free to move on at the end of the season, but Spurs may well eye up a cut-price deal to land him in January. Given that he hasn’t played at all this season through injury, Barkley may be rusty this term, but the midfielder could be a strong addition to Pochettino’s options, especially if available at a knockdown price. Barkley has been linked with Tottenham in all of the recent transfer windows, and given that he may move on for nothing in the summer, now is the time to finally make a clear decision.
3. Continue searching for Mousa Dembele’s successor
Having finally fulfilled his potential under Mauricio Pochettino, midfielder Mousa Dembele has been a key player for Spurs in recent years, but the time may be coming for him to be replaced. The Belgian international, 30, has suffered injury problems this season, limiting him to eight Premier League starts, and finding a midfielder to drive through the middle of the park like Dembele may be key. That could be Barkley, if Pochettino changes his position, but with Sky Sports and West London Sport reporting that Spurs want Geoffrey Kondogbia and Yves Bissouma respectively, Pochettino may look to lay the groundwork for Dembele’s replacement in January.
4. Consider bids for two Premier League stars
Whilst Son Heung-min is still impressing this season, many still feel that Tottenham require a superstar winger who can change games in an instant, having drawn with the likes of Burnley, Swansea and West Brom at home this season. Two names often mentioned by fans are Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez, who would come with the added bonus of being available for the Champions League. That European football could be appealing to either player, whilst their pace, dribbling ability and capability to produce moments of magic would make them vital for Spurs, and Pochettino should be considering January bids for them.
5. Get Kyle Walker-Peters out on loan
Whilst Kyle Walker-Peters started the season at right back against Newcastle United, he has played just eight minutes of Premier League action since then. The 20-year-old appears to have a bright future, but with Serge Aurier and Kieran Trippier at right back, his path to the first team is a little blocked right now. The Sun recently reported that Swansea want to bring in Walker-Peters on loan, and whilst Tottenham may have some reservations about sending him out to a team struggling against relegation, they should be open to letting him out on loan for the rest of the season.
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