Following a 2015/16 campaign that offered so much promise – even if it ended on the rather sour note of finishing behind Arsenal – Tottenham Hotspur fans are undoubtedly looking forward to next season.
But before 2016/17 kicks off in the Premier League, there’s the small matter of the summer transfer window (not to mention the European Championship in France) to deal with first.
And considering Spurs now have the incentive of Champions League football on offer, it could well go down as one of the most significant transfer windows in the club’s history.
They’ll have access to a higher bracket of the transfer market and extra revenue to spend on potential signings, whilst Mauricio Pochettino’s reputation as a top-class coach is resonating throughout Europe.
But, who is actually on the Lilywhites’ radar? Who is most likely to turn up at White Hart Lane in time for next season? How much will they cost and are they worth it?
Well, using our god-given powers of transfer know-how, we’ve shortlisted Spurs’ 10 likeliest targets for the summer transfer window – laden with key stats, contract information and potential price-tags…
BREEL EMBOLO
Breel Embolo has been dubbed the ‘new Didier Drogba’ and recent reports suggest he’s bound for the Premier League this summer, with White Hart Lane a likely destination. The 6 foot 1 striker is just 19 years of age but has already picked up nine caps for Switzerland and helped fire Basel to back-to-back titles, amassing 29 goals over the last two seasons. He’d set the North London club back somewhere in the region of £20million.
MAHMOUD DAHOUD
The German media seem fairly convinced Tottenham Hotspur will swoop for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Mahmoud Dahoud, whose breakthrough 2015/16 campaign has been eerily similar to Dele Alli’s with five goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga outings from central midfield. Energetic and progressive in style, the £27.5million-rated youngster certainly suits the Mauricio Pochettino philosophy.
VICTOR WANYAMA
The Lilywhites were hot on Victor Wanyama’s heels last summer and have been tipped to revive their interest, due to the Nigerian international’s Southampton contract entering its final twelve months. The 6 foot 2 enforcer offers physical dominance in abundance and would add a new layer of brawn to Tottenham’s engine room – which could prove a real advantage when facing the Premier League’s ‘big boys’ next season.
MARC BARTRA
With his contract set to expire at the end next season, Marc Bartra’s stuttering Barcelona career appears to be coming to a close. The Spain international has managed just 103 appearances since his 2010 debut but remains highly-rated throughout Europe, combining La Masia pedigree with versatility and athleticism. The Spanish press have put the Lilywhites in the frame to snap up the 25-year-old, who is valued at around the £10million mark.
ANDRE SCHURRLE
The Lilywhites would benefit enormously from some lightening pace in the final third and recent reports claim former Chelsea star Andre Schurrle could be the man to provide it. The winger-forward proved his impact on the international stage with Germany at the 2014 World Cup and has just come to the end of a decent season in the Bundesliga, netting nine times in 29 appearances, but inconsistency has been a recurring trend throughout the 25-year-old’s career.
SAMUEL UMTITI
Tottenham’s defensive efforts can’t be faulted this season but that hasn’t stopped the tabloids linking the Lilywhites with one of the top defensive prospects in Europe in the form of Lyon’s Samuel Umtiti. The 22-year-old can operate as a centre-half or a left-back and is developing into the total package, combining power, pace and quality on the ball with a strong reading of the game. The French starlet is rated at around the £20million mark but Spurs face competition from Barcelona amongst others.
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN
Dele Alli has proved promising youngsters can make the step up from the Football League if given the chance and Mauricio Pochettino’s side are reportedly hoping they’ll unearth another gem in Charlton Athletic’s Ademola Lookman. The 18-year-old was plying his trade with amateur side Waterloo FC less than two years ago but is now the Championship’s Apprentice of the Year after netting five times during his debut campaign. The winger-forward looks a real talent and could be a steal at just £8million.
YUNUS MALLI
The north London outfit have been linked with Yunus Malli continuously throughout a very strong 2015/16 campaign for the Mainz star, claiming eleven goals and four assists in 34 Bundesliga outings from the No.10 position. They saw an approach rejected during the January transfer window and are widely expected to revive their £10million interest in the Turkish international, who at 24 years of age appears ready to take his game to the next level.
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MICHY BATSHUAYI
Finding a dependable understudy to Harry Kane will be a primary objective for Tottenham Hotspur this summer and their priority target appears to be Marseille forward Michy Batshuayi. The Belgium international has just come to the end of a phenomenal season in Ligue 1, bagging 17 goals and nine assists in 36 appearances, and at just 22 years of age is oozing with world-class potential. The Lilywhites are believed to be leading fellow admirers West Ham in the race to sign the £30million-rated striker.
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ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE
Another Ligue 1 hitman known to be on Spurs’ transfer radar is Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette. A 31-goal haul last term saw the 24-year-old claim the 2015 Player of the Year award in France and he’s continued to impress this season, notching up 23 across all competitions. But the Stade Velodrome outfit have already rejected a £31million bid from West Ham, so Spurs will have to spend big to sign the France international.
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