Tottenham Hotspur have started the season strongly and sit fifth heading into the international break.
Following Chelsea’s decline, Spurs sit a whopping ten points ahead of their rivals, and with Liverpool still in transition under Jurgen Klopp, the Lilywhites look well placed to secure a return to the Champions League.
However, Mauricio Pochettino will be aware that there are failings in his squad that will need to be addressed during the January window if the North London giants are to return to Europe’s top competition.
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In this feature, we present five players who Spurs should look at signing if they are to return to take their place among the continent’s elite.
Alexandre Pato
He’s been heavily linked to Liverpool in recent weeks, and with his Brazilian side Corinthians confirming they’re desperate to offload him, Pato looks nailed-on to move in January.
This striker—who could be a bargain addition—would offer experience and an explosive presence in the final third.
However, with his injury track record, and with Spurs’ dismal recent record of player fitness, would the Duck be one gamble too man.
Saido Berahino
Heavily linked with Tottenham during the summer, might the Lilywhites return for Berahino during the January window?
He may well agitate for a move once again, and while he can certainly be considered one for the future, the youngster could contribute to a Champions League push right now.
Yehven Konoplyanka
Spurs looked close to making a move for the versatile forward in the transfer window, but ultimately he opted to move to Spanish side Sevilla instead.
He’s been tipped for a January move—with both Liverpool and Barcelona said to be keen on his services—but should Spurs look to crash the party?
Adrien Rabiot
The Golden Boy nominee has admirers at many major clubs across Europe, but seemingly not at Paris Saint-Germain, where he remains a bit-part player.
Tottenham were linked during the summer, and the prospect of the young Frenchman in the midfield alongside fellow wonderkid Dele Alli is a tantalising one.
Riyad Mahrez
Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all understood to be keeping tabs on the Algeria winger, who has taken the Premier League by storm after an encouraging maiden campaign in the top flight last season.
He would certainly be an upgrade on Andros Townsend—who’s been tipped to leave—while the North African could also contribute more consistently than Erik Lamela, who’s only shone in fits and starts.