Spurs are to press on with their plans to revitalise their squad in January, despite their wonderful Premier League form.
Of all the Premier League teams, Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur perhaps enjoyed their festive period the most, with December propelling Spurs to within touching distance of the Champions League qualification places and into a winnable League Cup semi-final against League One outfit Sheffield United.
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Despite this, however, reports from the Mirror are suggesting that Spurs will still press ahead with their plans to move on some dead wood in the January transfer window, with these five players having reason to fear for their White Hart Lane futures:
Vlad Chiriches
Romanian international centre back Vlad Chiriches has never quite lived up to expectations at Spurs since his move from Steaua Bucharest in the summer of 2013 and, with Federico Fazio and Jan Vertonghen forming a promising partnership at the heart of the club’s back four, his time at White Hart Lane appears to be numbered. Serie A duo AS Roma and Juventus are both believed to be interested, although a loan move with a view to a permanent deal is perhaps the most likely outcome.
Roberto Soldado
The tame pussy cat of White Hart Lane, Roberto Soldado, is surely running out of lives to save his Tottenham Hotspur career. The emergence of Harry Kane will have done former Valencia star Soldado no favours, although the equally mystifying form of fellow senior striker Emmanuel Adebayor means that Soldado’s departure would have to trigger a replacement joining the club. AC Milan are believed to be interested – although Spurs are only interested in offloading Soldado on a permanent deal.
Aaron Lennon
Winger Aaron Lennon has been little more than a bit part player under Pochettino this season and looks a far cry from the player who was so exhilerating under Harry Redknapp a few years ago. Spurs are believed to want £7 million for Lennon and, if either Stoke City or Southampton meet it, he is likely to leave.
Andros Townsend
It may come as some surprise, with Townsend having been a first choice player lately and having found the back of the net in the astonishing 5-3 victory over Chelsea, but Premier League clubs still believe that they can prise the winger away on loan. QPR, Sunderland and Newcastle United are all believed to be interested.
Paulinho
Despite being a £17 million marquee signing just 18 months ago, Brazilian midfielder Paulinho has never settled at White Hart Lane and is now very much on the fringes of things under Pochettino. Former club Corinthians believe that they are capable of luring him back to the Brasileiro on loan.