Spurs targeting three new stars as Mauricio Pochettino looks to stamp his mark on the squad.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino and his technical director Franco Baldini are targeting an entirely new spine for a team that has been largely spineless so far this season, with the Mirror reporting that Pochettino has instructed his board that he will require one new central defender, central midfielder and centre forward during January if he is to be able to get more out of his underperforming team.
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The board agree with Pochettino’s evaluation of his squad and are willing to provide a net budget of £20 million for the January window, whilst that could also be supplemented by player sales – with four senior players set to be allowed to leave White Hart Lane in January as long as suitable buyers can be found.
Here are the seven deals being lined up by Pochettino and Baldini for the new year:
Out) Moussa Dembele
The Belgian midfielder is exceptional on his day, but he has flattered to deceive for the majority of the time since signing from Fulham and it now appears that Spurs are willing to cut their losses on him.
In) Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
Schneiderlin is a player that Pochettino, as well as new head of recruitment Paul Mitchell, knows extremely well and made perhaps the most important player in his Southampton team. He can be the heartbeat of a side from central midfield – something that Spurs have desperately lacked with an array of mediocre central midfielders that have featured this season.
Out) Emmanuel Adebayor
Despite his brief renaissance as a Tottenham first team star during Tim Sherwood’s spell in charge of the club last season, Emmanuel Adebayor has not been a success at White Hart Lane and he has been largely dreadful this season, visible exasperating his manager in the process.
In) Jay Rodriguez (Southampton)
Another player that Pochettino knows extremely well from his time in charge at St. Mary’s is striker Jay Rodriguez, who is still yet to make his comeback from an injury sustained before the end of last season. He is versatile, enthusiastic and scores goals, all traits that Spurs could very much use.
Out) Aaron Lennon
Has been given one or two opportunities in the Tottenham first team recently, but has failed to grasp them with both hands and looks a long way from the exciting, direct player that excelled during Harry Redknapp’s time in charge of the club.
In) Raul Albiol (Napoli)
As indicated by the Mirror report, Spanish central defender Raul Albion of Rafa Benitez’s Napoli side is believed to be a target for Spurs as a replacement for the final outgoing player on this list.
Out) Jan Vertonghen
Vertonghen has been one of Spurs’ best and most important players over the last couple of seasons, but his influence is waning and the Belgian seems to be pushing for a move away, something that Pochettino appears to be willing to grant.