Tottenham began the 2023/24 season in euphoric form after a dismal end to the previous campaign and the exit of all-time leading goalscorer Harry Kane, and while the mood has soured with injuries and suspensions aplenty, the future looks bright under Ange Postecoglou.
During the opening months of the season, Spurs showed their new-look starting XI and style of play would keep them in contention for European qualification places, but the masses of wounded players saw the side’s form dip with a run of five games without a Premier League win.
The areas lacking depth were severely exposed in losses to Chelsea, Wolves, Aston Villa and West Ham United, but the 2024 January transfer window will offer Postecoglou and his team behind the scenes the chance to improve the squad, especially with some key players jetting off mid-season for international tournaments.
Here’s the business Tottenham will look to do during the winter window.
Tottenham brought a great combination of talents together when they signed Micky van de Ven from the Bundesliga to partner Cristian Romero. However, the Dutchman’s injury has had a major impact on Spurs’ fortunes of late, with no other player in the squad capable of matching his remarkable recovery pace.
Eric Dier got a chance but injuries have ruled him out of the first-team picture. Ben Davies have performed admirably but Postecoglou is still keen on adding another centre-half who can step in comfortably should injury or suspension strike again.
Key targets
90min understands Tottenham are in contact with Nice over a potential £35m deal for the highly-rated Jean-Clair Todibo. While the French side are reluctant to make the deal due to their title push in Ligue 1, the relatively low asking price has more than piqued Spurs’ interest.
Everton’s Ben Godfrey has also been earmarked as a potential target. Scouts have been impressed by the former Norwich defender in recent years, but he has fallen down the pecking order under Sean Dyche with Jarrad Branthwaite among those preferred so far this season.
Branthwaite is another player appreciated by Tottenham, but he is a long-term target at this point.
Yves Bissouma’s latest suspension means he won’t play for Tottenham again until his participation at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations comes to an end. Pape Matar Sarr will also feature of AFCON, leaving Postecoglou short on options in central midfield.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp are likely to see their game time increase, while Giovani Lo Celso will come back into the fold once he overcomes his latest injury setback. Rodrigo Bentancur’s latest knock could keep him out until February, so the Lilywhites may have to target a central midfielder to make sure they come through a demanding period of the season unscathed.
Key targets
18-year-old Belgian starlet Arthur Vermeeren has admirers in north London thanks to his performances with Royal Antwerp. However, the teenager won’t come cheap with Arsenal and Barcelona also sniffing around.
Tottenham are also keeping an eye on Blackburn Rovers youngster Adam Wharton, whose performances in the Championship have caught the eye of England’s elite.
If Bissouma and Sarr leaving for AFCON wasn’t bad enough for Tottenham, captain Son Heung-min is due at the Asian Cup which runs from 12 January to 10 February.
Postecoglou and Spurs won’t be able to sign a player of the South Korean’s quality in January, but adding another goal threat in wide areas could be the difference between their season flying or faltering post-January.
Key targets
Copenhagen’s Roony Bardghji shot to fame by scoring the Danish club’s winner in a 4-3 Champions League victory over Manchester United. The 18-year-old is expected to be available in January, with Chelsea heavily interested and the Red Devils also monitoring the situation.
Tottenham also remain keen on former Celtic winger Jota, who hasn’t played much for Al Ittihad since his summer move having not been registered for domestic duty. They could face competition from Newcastle for his signature, however.
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