Five players Spurs could look at in January

Pundits far and wide – and some fans – have been left scratching their heads at the lack of transfer activity by Spurs. The lack of arrivals has meant that bookies such as Betway have fairly long odds on a title challenge for Pochettino this season.

Yet, while we might well have become the first team not to sign a single player since the summer transfer window came in to being it doesn’t mean we will never dip into the market again.

Mauricio Pochettino been able to keep his star names together for now and can add to his ranks in January if necessary. Given the careful planning that needs to go into such moves – especially in an inflated market – it’s likely that the club will need to soon start thinking about the next window, rather than reflecting endlessly on the one that’s just gone.

Who might be on the radar of Pochettino and Daniel Levy? Here are five names that could – or should – be on the Spurs radar when the window re-opens.

Anthony Martial

Mauricio Pochettino reportedly showed interest in the 22-year-old Manchester United man in the summer and was warned that it would take ‘silly money’ to secure his signature. Yet, there’s every reason to think might change by January. Martial clearly wants to leave and isn’t figuring in Jose Mourinho’s plans. There’s also unrest among some United fans at their club’s lack of transfer activity and a pressure to sign players in January which might, in turn, make them more inclined to sell Martial to make way for a new recruit. There’s even a precedent from the last January window – with the chance for a Alderweireld-Martial deal that mirrors the Sanchez-Mkhitaryan move with Arsenal.

The pacy former Monaco man would certainly add another dimension to the Spurs forward line, and provide the opportunity for rotation as the season comes to a close.

Leon Bailey

The long and ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Jack Grealish proves that the club has been seriously eyeing up a creative attacking player, possibly to ease the burden on Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli. With the Villa man’s move seemingly dead in the water, the club might still want to identify someone to do this role. In Leon Bailey, they might have the perfect fit.

The Bayer Leverkusen man managed nine goals and six assists in an excellent Bundesliga campaign last season, helping his side up to fifth in the table. His quick wing play makes him a handful for any defence – and might be a useful impact sub to take on tiring teams.

Many big clubs are circling on the Jamaican so Spurs might need to act quickly to avoid their London neighbours nipping in to snap him up.

Hirving Lozano

It’s a mystery as to why the mercurial Mexican hasn’t yet earned a move from PSV Eindhoven after a series of eye-catching displays for his national team in the World Cup. He only made the move to Holland last summer, but a 19-goal first campaign in the Eredivisie marked him out as one to watch, even before he helped to floor the then-reigning champions in Russia.

Nicknamed Chucky, the 23-year-old is quick and thrives as an inverted winger, starting on the left and coming inside onto his right foot. He’s surely destined for greater things, and might well fancy a step up from the Dutch league.

Ivan Ignatyev

In a world of crazy transfer fees, it pays to be able to identify emerging talents. The 19-year-old Krasnodar striker Ivan Ignatyev might well fit the bill in that regard and, as a striker, might challenge Fernando Llorente and Vincent Janssen as back-up to Harry Kane.

The young Russian was the top scorer in the 2017/18 UEFA Youth League with ten goals and looks to be a natural finisher. He’s only made a handful of Russian Premier League appearances – but scored on his debut for the senior side to underline his rich potential.

Jonathan Klinsmann

How about one for the romantics? Jurgen Klinsmann was a big fans favourite at White Hart Lane, with 39 goals in two spells in a Spurs shirt and his son is following in his dad’s footsteps by pursuing a career as a professional footballer.

Unlike his dad, Jonathan Klinsmann is a goalkeeper and is currently plying his trade with Hertha Berlin. Like his dad, however, he demonstrated a talent for the spectacular on his debut, saving an 87th minute penalty in a Europa League tie in December. The 6ft 4in 21-year-old is a US youth international and won the golden glove in the 2017 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, proving that he wouldn’t just be a romantic choice.