End Of January Transfer Window: Will Tottenham Be Buying Or Selling?
By Logan Holmes
Lewis Holtby [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]As the close of the January transfer window approaches, will Tottenham be buying or selling?
It’s been the quietest transfer month that I can remember. There have been few stories in the press about possible negotiations involving Tottenham and what rumours there have been suggest that Spurs fans are more likely to be seeing players leaving White Hart Lane rather than new players arriving. Will the transfer activity heat up in the final few days before the Friday evening deadline?
OUT
The size of the Tottenham squad, especially in midfield where they have strength in depth, could lead to some of the players who are not playing regular football making a move on loan or in a permanent deal, especially if the player has ambitions of playing in next summer’s World Cup Finals.
Etienne Capoue
Capoue is one such player with rumours throughout the month, reported in the Daily Mirror, that Napoli are interested in signing him although the fee Spurs are demanding could prove a stumbling block. With Tim Sherwood preferring Nabil Bentaleb ahead of Capoue and the return of Sandro and Paulinho from injury expected soon, Capoue could be surplus to requirement. The French international impressed in early appearances but injury at Arsenal at the beginning of September and limited playing time have prevented him showing what he is capable of doing.
Napoli, according to the Mirror, are also keen to sign Jan Vertonghen who is recovering from injury and played in a friendly match during the past week. Spurs will not want to lose Vertonghen who is central to their push for a top-4 finish in the Premier League.
Of equal concern is a report that Borussia Dortmund are interested in Vlad Chiriches according to Sports Direct News.
Nacer Chadli
Here, is another of the summer signings with World Cup aspirations who has had very limited opportunities at White Hart Lane. There have been comments from Chadli’s agent about his limited playing time and recently the Mirror have reported Everton being interested in the Belgium international.
Lewis Holtby
Throughout the month Holtby has been linked with his former club Schalke but they appear to be unable to meet Spurs’ transfer fee and the German international who only signed for Tottenham twelve months ago is now in he sights of PSV Eindhoven according to the Mirror although @HotspurRelated has reported that PSV director Marcel Brands has confirmed Holtby is not an option for them but admitted they did enquire in December
Heurelho Gomes
Heurelho Gomes
PSV are interested in Tottenham’s forgotten goalkeeper. Gomes could be on his way back to Holland according to the player’s own Instagram account, returning to his former club.
"Good morning! Off To Enidhoven! God bless you all."
Kyle Naughton
During the month there have been reports in the Mirror of Aston Villa being interested in signing Naughton who has been restricted to providing cover at full-back during his time at Spurs. The Villa manager, Paul Lambert, knows Naughton from his time on loan at Norwich City where he had an impressive season. Second to Kyle Walker for the right back position, Naughton has never been comfortable on the left as he is right footed and teams put him under pressure as he tries to get the ball onto his right foot.
With it being a World Cup year players could go out on loan to the end of the season in last minute deals while some of the younger players could also be involved in loan moves as part of their further career development to gain League experience with lower league clubs.
INS
With Jermain Defoe off to Toronto in March for the start of the MLS season, Tottenham’s striking options are restricted to Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado with Harry Kane in reserve. Rumours of Tottenham’s interest in signing a striker in January are an annual event but have yet to produce the type of striker to propel them into the Champions League.
Dimitar Berbatov’s future at Fulham is still uncertain and while that’s the case some think he could be a possible Tottenham acquisition.
According to the Metro Spurs are interested in the 19-year-old Juventus striker, Domenico Berardi who is on loan at Sassuolo. He has scored 12 goals in 16 appearances this season, including 4 against AC Milan earlier this month.
Rumours now appear to be coming with a scattergun effect, casting far and widehoping that something will be correct. Reports from Italy have also linked Tottenham with the experienced Juventus striker, Mirko Vucinic who is 30 years of age and the Inter Milan midfielder Fredy Guarin.
The Daily Star believes that Tottenham are considering an £18m move for the Athletic Bilbao 21-year-old winger Iker Muniain.
The return of Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul to full fitness should bring to an end earlier suggestions that Spurs could sign Joleon Lescott on loan from Manchester City.
Of Concern
The comment by Hugo Lloris that he would have to consider his options should Tottenham not make the Champions League next season is of concern for the summer transfer window.
"Without Champions League football? I’ve not thought about it. I must weigh things up at the end of the season."
Lloris getting his shout in early for a summer exit.
There is no clear indication of what could happen in the coming days but my thoughts are that most of the rumours will come to nothing and that in all probability, Spurs under Tim Sherwood will see out the remainder of the season with the existing squad although there is more likely to be some movement out rather than any new signings.