LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur celebrate during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on August 20, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
Tottenham will immediately turn their attention to these five targets
Some Tottenham fans may be tired of hearing Spurs transfer rumors since the summer transfer window just ended. Unfortunately, the higher-ups at the club know that their transfer work is never done.
Instead, Tottenham must immediately shift their focus towards identifying January transfer targets. The club have typically avoided major business during the winter in years past, but the pressures of Champions League football will likely change that.
The fact that the club will have played more meaningful fixtures than they have in years past, makes injuries much more likely. Fatigue will also come into play. That means Tottenham will do more work this winter than in years past.
I suspect Spurs will bring in as many as five players during the winter window. Fortunately for you, I’ve already identified the first five players that Spurs will target. Read on to discover the identities of Mauricio Pochettino’s top five January transfer targets.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Odion Ighalo of Watford challenges Morgan Schneiderlin of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Watford at Old Trafford on March 2, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
5. Morgan Schneiderlin
Tottenham made a late push for Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin this week, but the Red Devils rebuffed Spurs’ advances. Look for Pochettino to go after his former midfielder again this winter.
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Reportedly, United boss Jose Mourinho wanted to hold on to Schneiderlin to make sure his squad had the necessary depth to cope with Europa League competition. That sounds all well and good at this point in the season, but I can’t see the Frenchman being happy with that role once January rolls around.
That’s when Tottenham will be in a prime position to pounce. They can’t offer Schneiderlin a starting role either, but he’d certainly be inserted into the club’s defensive midfield rotation. He’d be in a better position to play meaningful football for Spurs than United.
There’s still a chance that United might keep him just to spite Spurs, but they should relent if they receive a credible offer from Daniel Levy and company. There’s a serious chance that Schneiderlin may be the next French star to join Tottenham this winter.
Crystal Palace’s Ivorian-born English striker Wilfried Zaha runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane in London, on August 20, 2016. / AFP / Glyn KIRK
4. Wilfried Zaha
Tottenham also chased Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha pretty hard this summer. The Eagles’ brass flatly refused to entertain the notion of parting with their young winger. Things could be a lot different in January.
The main variable that could change would be Palace’s chances for on-field success. They’ve invested serious money to bring Christian Benteke and Loic Remy to Selhurst Park, and they’ll be under serious pressure to succeed. Things could go south if the goals don’t start to flow.
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If that happens, all bets are off at the club. They could be looking to clean house come January. Tottenham would be happy to take Zaha off their hands.
While some Spurs fans expressed real consternation at the possibility of acquiring the Englishman, I believe it would have been a solid purchase. He’s a young winger who has a high work rate and is already adjusted to Premier League competition. Spurs could do a lot worse.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 20: Maximilian Meyer of Germany celebrates scoring during the Men’s Football Final between Brazil and Germany at the Maracana Stadium on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
3. Max Meyer
If I’m completely honest, I don’t really think Tottenham made a serious move to sign German starlet Max Meyer this summer. Several German news outlets reported a sizable Spurs bid, but it just seemed to come out of nowhere.
Ironically, I think the chatter about a Tottenham bid for the talented attacker could serve as a precursor to real negotiations. He certainly fits the age and talent profile that Pochettino likes in his transfer purchases.
The only potential problem here is the hefty fee that’s going to be required to get Meyer out of Germany. Schalke aren’t in a position where they need to sell their stars, so they’ll require any club to splash serious cash to acquire Meyer.
The only way I can see Tottenham bidding the requisite amount, is if Spurs have a legitimate chance to win a Premier League title. If they see Meyer as the player who can put them over the top, they may be tempted to bet big on his prodigious talent.
Santi Mina of Spain U21 celebrates his second goal during the UEFA Euro U21 2017 Qualifiers match at Nou Estadi Castlia, Castellon de la Plana
(Photo by Maria Jose Segovia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
2. Santi Mina
Tottenham are always going to be on the lookout for bright, young attacking talent. That should bring them into the mix for Valencia forward Santi Mina in January.
The young Spaniard has been the only bright spot for what’s been a pretty miserable start for Valencia’s season. My logic is that if the club’s downwards spiral continues, they’ll be forced to accept a significant bid for Mina in January.
He’s simply too bright a star to find himself in Spain’s second division. If word gets out that he’s on the open market, there will be a host of big clubs interested in his services.
Tottenham would have to sell him on the straightforward path to playing time at White Hart Lane. Mina has the ability to immediately step into the club’s attacking midfield trio. You may not have heard of him, but he’s got that kind of ability.
Look for a host of clubs to take a look at Mina this winter, and for Spurs to be one. It’ll be an intensely difficult deal to get done, but it would be huge for the club.
PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 10: Hector Moreno
1. Hector Moreno
Central defense may not seem like a profound need for Tottenham at the moment, but when you have a chance to add a world-class player you purchase first, and ask questions later. Mexican centre back Hector Moreno could be just that sort of opportunity for Spurs.
The club have been interested in him before, but a significant leg injury derailed a potential deal early in Pochettino’s tenure. Now Moreno is back fully fit, and starring for PSV in Eredivisie.
That just isn’t a good enough league for a player of Moreno’s quality. He’s going to get a move to one of Europe’s top leagues sooner rather than later. Frankly, I was surprised he didn’t move this summer when rumors of Real Madrid’s interest started to materialize.
If Tottenham waits past January to move for Moreno, they’re going to lose their chance forever. More opportunities to show his quality will earn him a move to a club like Barcelona or Madrid. Pochettino and company must striker in January to make sure the prime of his career is spent at White Hart Lane.
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