Tottenham January transfer window guide: Two priorities for Spurs as Ange Postecoglou seeks window repeat
A winter injury crisis for the second season running has stretched Tottenham's squad to the limit and left head coach Ange Postecoglou calling for “reinforcements” in January if Spurs are to climb from mid-table to a position more benefitting of their stature and continue to compete in the cups.
The club have used the mid-season window constructively in the last few years, recruiting Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pedro Porro, Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner in Januarys past, but Postecoglou has warned that the extended Champions League format may make it harder to buy this year.
The Australian has suggested that Spurs will target players who can improve their squad rather than his first-team.
Spurs have already signed winger Min-hyeok Yang from Gangwon FC but the 18-year-old South Korean is expected to need time to settle.
Top priority
An ankle injury to Radu Dragusin and a setback for Ben Davies have heightened the need for cover at centre-back, while the front line is another priority.
Postecoglou says Spurs ‘need some help’ in January and has said there is "no doubt" Spurs need to add a forward to the squad, with Richarlison and Wilson Odobert having barely featured so far this season due to hamstring injuries, Werner out of favour and Mikey Moore still raw.
An experienced player capable of covering across the front three would be ideal.
An experienced left-footed centre-half who can cover at left-back would be welcome.
“We need some help,” said Postecoglou. “The players need some help more importantly, and the club is working really hard to try make that happen.”
What else they need
Fraser Forster's recent shaky displays mean Spurs will be interested in any progressive goalkeepers who come onto the market.
Really, though, there is no position where Spurs would not welcome fresh depth, except, perhaps, for No8 where Kulusevski, James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr are all playing well.
Possible ins
Johan Lange, Spurs' technical director, prefers to work in the shadows (see the unheralded signing of Odobert in the summer) so the club is more likely to make under the radar signings.
Lens centre-half Abdukodir Khusanov is thought to be a target, although Newcastle are also tracking the 20-year-old Uzbeki. Spurs have long admired Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze but the chances of that kind of deal happening in January are extremely remote.
Possible outs
Offloading forgotten man Sergio Reguilon is another priority, while it is easy to wonder about on-loan Werner's future after Postecoglou's recent criticism of the German's display at Rangers in the Europa League.
Spurs can hardly afford to lose players from an already stretched squad but if they want to make signings, they will need someone to make way in their European squad, so there may be some outgoings, too.
