Spurs chase new striker signing.
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Tottenham Hotspur could be set to move for Schalke striker and Netherlands match-winner Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as they eye new signings upfront this summer, CaughtOffside understands.
The 30-year-old was the matchwinner for his country in Sunday’s dramatic late World Cup victory over Mexico, confidently scoring a stoppage time penalty to seal a 2-1 win and a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Despite a difficult season disrupted by injury, Huntelaar ended the season in strong form for Schalke and is now putting in the performances for Holland at the World Cup, impressing Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino along the way.
The Argentine, who recently moved from Southampton to take over at White Hart Lane, has been tasked with clearing out the deadwood and revamping a Spurs squad that struggled for so much of the 2013/14 season, eventually finishing in a disappointing sixth place.
Although hardly a disastrous season by any means, the club’s spending from last summer’s transfer window raised expectations before the start of the season, and Pochettino will have to put things right by replacing some of the players who simply haven’t performed since arriving in north London.
Most notably, Spurs are in the market for new signings upfront after £26m striker Roberto Soldado badly flopped in his first campaign with the club, scoring just six Premier League goals and looking a shadow of the player who was so prolific at his former club Valencia.
Emmanuel Adebayor was also inconsistent as usual as Tottenham struggled to replace the goals of departing star Gareth Bale, and Huntelaar could now be the man to come in and provide more of a goal threat for the side.
The Dutchman has earned a reputation for being a top goal poacher for much of his career, despite disappointing spells at Real Madrid and AC Milan where he failed to live up to the expectations of playing for such big clubs.
Still, Huntelaar has an impressive record of 91 goals in just four seasons with current side Schalke, and has recently been monitored by Arsenal as they also seek new arrivals in attack.
Huntelaar’s experience at the top level could make him a useful addition in this largely youthful Spurs squad, and he may be available for a reasonable price with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.
Pochettino is likely to keep an eye on his performances at the World Cup before making a bid after the tournament, while the Argentine is also keeping an eye on other stand-out performers in Brazil.
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