da fazobetai： The summer window may have just slammed shut but we at Football Fancast are already looking forward to it’s winter counterpart.
da apostebet： Tottenham were by no means anonymous in the transfer market this summer – they spent £30million bringing in the likes of Ben Davies, Michel Vorm, Federico Fazio and Benjamin Stambouli in a bid to re-emerge as top four contenders after a disappointing 2013/14 Premier League campaign.
But the squad isn’t quite complete just yet, and after welcoming a new manager in Mauricio Pochettino earlier this summer, the Lilywhites will be keen to make further additions to help the Argentine implement his philosophy at White Hart Lane.
With that in mind, here’s a list of the FIVE January deals Spurs already have one eye on.
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JAY RODRIGUEZ
The combination of an ACL injury which saw him miss the World Cup and Southampton’s staunch public resistance prevented Tottenham from snapping up England international Jay Rodriguez over the summer.
The 25 year-old flourished under Mauricio Pochettino at St. Mary’s last season, with 15 goals making him the third-top scoring Englishman in the Premiership after Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney. Here’s a look at Rodriguez’ highlights from last term:
Likewise, Spurs are in desperate need of added quality on the left-side of their attack. Failure to sign Danny Welbeck on deadline day for that role could allegedly cost Franco Baldini his job.
The north Londoners were strongly linked with Rodriguez on deadline day too:
…suggesting a revival of interest in the next transfer window is more than likely. But Tottenham may struggle under the competition for the winger-forward’s signature, with Premier League champions Manchester City also emerging as suitors:
ANDRE AYEW
One potential alternative to Jay Rodriguez, available for considerably less cost, is Marseille star Andre Ayew, who rejected a move to Hull City on deadline day – allegedly due to interest in his services from Arsenal and Spurs.
The Ghana international has emerged as one of the French top flight’s leading widemen over the last few years, racking up 49 goals and 16 assists in 164 appearances for L’OM. He also enjoyed strong form at the World Cup, as detailed below:
Ayew isn’t the most conventional winger but he would suit the left -forward role well at White Hart Lane, being strong defensively and notoriously versatile. He’s also outrageously good at heading for a 5 foot 9 winger, as shown in the below video:
The 24 year-old has been doing the rounds in the tabloids recently because his contract at Stade Velodrome expires in the summer. And after Marseille’s horrendous form last season, a new deal is becoming increasingly unlikely.
That could see him arrive in North London for a nominal fee, but the Express claim Liverpool and Manchester United are currently leading the race for his signature.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Another Southampton star the Lilywhites could return for is midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.
Spurs struck up a deal for Benjamin Stambouli on deadline day as an alternative to the French international, but Schneiderlin remains the midfield general that would help Pochettino successfully implement his philosophy at White Hart Lane.
He’s also been in absolutely ridiculous form since his infamous bust-up with the Saints management this summer, as viewable below:
This curler against Newcastle at the weekend particularly stood out:
But with Southampton allegedly valuing their star performer at around £27million, it remains to be seen whether Tottenham will be prepared to invest such a large sum in a department they’re already blessed with quality and depth in.
Antonio Candreva
Tottenham are just one of a number of Premier League sides linked to Lazio star Antonio Candreva:
The 27 year-old is more commonly considered a No.10, but his rave reviews over the last few seasons have been earned by impacting from wide positions. This World Cup assist to Mario Balotelli against England is a classic example:
The Italy international was in lethal form last season, as detailed below:
And has carried that into the current campaign too:
But there are a host of clubs baying for Candreva’s services. In addition to both north London sides, Liverpool and Juventus have been linked, whilst other reports claim Lazio are about to offer their £24million-rated talisman a new deal:
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Tottenham desperately need a new striker in January – in a combined eight appearances this season, their front-line of Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane have found the net just once.
Resultantly, the Lilywhites are one of many Premier League sides to have been linked with Schalke assassin Klaas-Jan Huntelaar since the end of the summer window:
The Netherlands international doesn’t offer too much to open play, as shown in the statistics below:
But he’s absolutely lethal in front of goal, with returns of 35 goals in 65 appearances for Holland and 93 in 142 for the Miners. That includes this Champions League goal against Chelsea from yesterday evening:
Here’s some more goals from the 6 foot 1 forward:
Huntelaar’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and although Schalke want him to sign a new deal, he’ll have to take a considerable wage cut.
Thus, a January switch looks on the cards but, as previously stated, Liverpool and Arsenal appear to be monitoring his situation too.
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