The January transfer window is drawing ever closer, and Tottenham Hotspur may look to use next month to bring in new signings, or let players leave the club.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men endured something of a tricky summer transfer window, as after landing Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen, they had to wait until the final hours of deadline day in August to sign Pau Lopez, Moussa Sissoko and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou.
Liverpool’s Kevin Stewart in action with Tottenham’s Josh Onomah
Many have criticised Tottenham for their summer activity and the lack of impact those signings have made, and Pochettino could now look to strike some deal next month.
With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for Tottenham’s January transfer window…
Continue to target more talented youngsters
With Pochettino at the helm, Spurs have seen a host of young players develop and thrive, such as Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Harry Kane, whilst Harry Winks and Cameron Carter-Vickers look to be next in line. Tottenham are planning for the future by tying down current stars to new contracts, and signing some more young players in January – even if they’re then loaned back to their current clubs, like Alli with MK Dons in 2015 – could be a smart move. The Sun recently reported that Tottenham are leading the race for Peterborough’s 18-year-old midfielder Leo Da Silva Lopes, whilst The Guardian claimed last week that Ben Davies could leave the club if Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon, 16, joins Spurs. Both would be great deals for Spurs, as they would be bringing in two more of the top youngsters in the country.
Everton’s Ross Barkley
Try and get Josh Onomah out on loan
Having a host of young talents is one thing, but getting them first-team football is another. Whilst Winks has broken into the Spurs side this season, playmaker Onomah has started just twice this season, and both appearances came in the EFL Cup. The 19-year-old has huge potential but needs to play more games, and with the likes of Christian Eriksen, Moussa Sissoko, Dele Alli, Heung-min Son, Erik Lamela and the aforementioned Nkoudou ahead of him in the pecking order, the England Under-21 international could benefit from a loan move to a promotion-chasing Championship club, or a fellow Premier League side.
Make a bid for another playmaker; Ross Barkley?
Tottenham have often struggled to unlock defences, and that was particularly highlighted in the Champions League. Many fans want to see another playmaker brought to White Hart Lane in the new year, and whilst the London Evening Standard recently reported that Real Madrid’s Isco is a target, a more realistic option could be Everton’s Ross Barkley. The Telegraph claimed last week that Spurs want to lure Barkley to North London, and Everton could be open to a deal given that he has just 18 months let on his deal at Goodison Park. A big-money move in the middle of the season doesn’t sound like something Daniel Levy would do, but testing the water with a move for Barkley should be on Tottenham’s agenda.
Attempt to sign a pacey striker
Whilst Tottenham signed a striker to offer cover for Harry Kane in Vincent Janssen, the Spurs attack has too often suffered from a lack of pace. Janssen is a player who can hold the ball up well, whilst Kane likes the ball into feet, with neither player really troubling defences in behind. Whether it’s a proven Premier League player like Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson or a lower league prospect such as Charlton Athletic’s Ademola Lookman, bringing some more speed to the final third could be a good move for Pochettino.
Keep hold of Kevin Wimmer
Tottenham’s regular back line of Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose is arguably the best in the Premier League, but their quality means that backup players can get frustrated with a lack of first-team football. One such player is Austrian international Kevin Wimmer, as Express recently claimed that Borussia Monchengladbach could make a move to sign the former Koln defender, after he was quoted by The Sun as saying that he would consider leaving White Hart Lane. Wimmer has proven himself as an able deputy for Spurs whenever a centre back has been injured, and the 24-year-old should be kept happy rather than be sold in January, which would leave Spurs short at the back.
What would you like to see Tottenham do in January?
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