Tottenham’s Transfer Targets But Interest In France For Kyle Walker

It has been a quiet start to the January transfer window this year. There has been less speculation and fewer rumours in 2014 than we would normally expect at this time of the year.

Kyle Walker [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Where Tottenham are concerned, two issues could have a bearing on their transfer activity this month. Having spent over £100m on the summer on 7 new players how ready will Daniel Levy be to splash the cash again? Then, with Tim Sherwood having just taken over as Head Coach, will he be given the opportunity to strengthen the squad?

The general view of Tottenham fans and pundits is that Spurs need to strengthen at left back and striker. The recent spat of injuries in central defence has left Tottenham stretched for cover with Etienne Capoue having to move back from midfield to partner Michael Dawson at centre back. Spurs are now thought to be considering options to strengthen in that area as well.

While looking to add to their squad Tottenham are anxious not to lose any of their top players so will be concerned of newspaper reports of interest in France for Kyle Walker. The Independent report today that PSG and Monaco being interested in the Spurs and England right back.

Possible Tottenham Targets:

• Left-back:

Danny Rose, with the exception of his blunder on Saturday has looked quite comfortable this season but injury kept him out for almost three months and with neither Kyle Naughton nor Zeki Fryers able to fill the role adequately, Jan Vertonghen was again forced to step across from his preferred central defensive role to fill in at left back, a situation with which he was not totally happy under Andre Villas-Boas. Benoit Assou-Ekotto, currently with QPR doesn’t appear to be in Tim Sherwood’s plans as he was allowed to play for the west London club in the FA Cup while Tom Carroll, also on loan at Loftus Road, was denied permission to turn our in the 3rd Round tie against Everton.

As Spurs seek a player to provide competition for Rose, they are thought to be interested in the Real Madrid left back, Fabio Coentrao and the Manchester United left back Alexander Buttner. They are looking at loan deals to the end of the season but neither would appear to have much chance of coming to a successful conclusion. Coentrao wasn’t interested in coming to White Hart Lane in the summer as part of the Gareth Bale transfer and Carlo Ancelotti has recently stated that Real won’t be doing any deals this time around. Manchester United have their own problems at left back with an ageing Evra so are unlikely to consider loaning a player to one of their rivals for a high-placed finish in the Premier League. David Moyes is more interested in strengthening his own side rather than one of his opponents.

• Central Defender:

The injury to Jan Vertonghen at Fulham last month and the uncertainty over Younes Kaboul has severely stretched Spurs playing resources in this area. It was said that Capoue could step in when required but in the heavy defeat to Liverpool he was found lacking as a defender. With no young players capable of coming into the team, Spurs can’t afford any more injuries and were relieved when Vlad Chiriches returned to the team for recent matches. With only Dawson and Chiriches as central defenders Spurs are on the lookout to find reinforcements.

The England and Manchester City defender, Joleon Lescott is one player with whom they have been linked, again, on loan to the season’s end. The Telegraph suggests that Newcastle United, Monaco and Besiktas in Turkey are interested in the player who is eager for regular football as he pursues a place in the England World Cup squad.

• Striker:

Jermain Defoe off to Toronto? [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]The rumours persist that Jermain Defoe is set to move to Toronto in March although there is suggestions that West Ham are interested in resigning the England striker. The re-emergence of Emmanuel Adebayor in the team under Tim Sherwood has eased the situation but with Roberto Soldado still unable to discover his goal scoring touch in England, Spurs need to find someone capable of scoring regularly.

Recent reports in the Metro suggest that Tottenham are interested in the Juventus strikers Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella. Both are 30 years of age and Franco Baldini’s knowledge of and connections in Italian football may be the source of Tottenham’s interest.

The Scotland and Sunderland striker, Stephen Fletcher has also been linked with the club. The former Wolves player has frequently caused problems for Spurs. West Brom’s Irish strike, Shane Long, is also linked with Spurs in a report in the Mirror. These latter options may be players that Tim Sherwood would prefer as they are very experienced in the Premier League.

Going On Loan

Shaquille Coulthirst, the young striker who has been in match day squads for some of the Europa League games and made an appearance against Anzhi has gone to Leyton Orient on loan for a month.

GONE!

Simon Dawkins who is 26 years of age has made a permanent move to Derby County having spent the past months with them, on loan. Dawkins joined the Tottenham Academy in 2004 and was initially released but was taken back on after a serious injury and spent time on loan in America with San Jose Earthquakes before returning twelve months ago when he spent the rest of the season with Aston Villa.