Tottenham Hotspur are enjoying a strong start to the season, claiming 21 points and five wins from their first 12 games. In the eyes of many, they’re the leading candidates to capitalise on Chelsea’s miraculous decline and sneak into the Premier League’s top four.
But if there’s one thing that could see Spurs’ Champions League qualification bid fall short come the end of May, it is perhaps a lack of firepower. Nobody doubts the goal scoring credentials of Harry ‘he’s one of our own’ Kane, but the England international lacks a dependable understudy.
Summer signing Clinton N’Jie is a natural frontman but is still getting to grips with Premier League football, whilst Heung-Min Son, although no stranger to being deployed as a centre-forward, tends to thrive best on the wing.
So with that in mind and the January transfer window now less than two months away, Football Fancast have been running the rule over potential additions to Spurs’ strike force. Here are our FIVE suggestions.
CHARLIE AUSTIN
He’s often mooted as a prime target of the relegation battlers, yet Charlie Austin’s impressive haul last season suggested the QPR striker has plenty to offer those challenging at the other end of the Premier League table too.
Indeed, the 26-year-old claimed fourth spot in the Premier League’s scoring charts last season with 18 goals, during his first and only top flight campaign thus far, despite representing a side who finished in 20th place and won just eight games all season.
Although injuries have marred his game-time somewhat in recent weeks, Austin’s strike-rate is still holding strong in the Championship – seven in twelve outings – and its almost inevitable he’ll be picked up by a Premier League club during the next two transfer windows.
Ingrained with physicality and aggression from his superlative rise throughout the Football League, the 6 foot 2 striker seems like a natural suitor to Mauricio Pochettino’s high-intensity philosophy
And Mirror Football claim QPR could sell for just £8million in January, due to the 6 foot 2 striker’s Loftus Road contract expiring at the end of the season.
MICHY BATSHUAYI
Tottenham, along with local rivals Arsenal, have already expressed an interest in Michy Batshuayi, so they’ll undoubtedly have taken note of the prodigious Marseille frontman’s impressive run of form.
Indeed, the Belgium international has claimed eight goals and three assists in just 13 Ligue 1 outings this term, building upon the reputation gained from his equally potent spell with former club Standard Liege – for whom he netted 39 times in 97 league appearances before joining the Stade Velodrome ranks in summer 2014.
A phenomenal athlete, blessed with pace, power and leap in equal measure, Batshuayi seems a good fit for Premier League football. Likewise, there’s huge potential for further improvement at just 22 years of age.
Marseille are well aware the 5 foot 11 striker could mature into one of European football’s most potent goal scorers, however, and resultantly rejected a £22million bid during the summer.
AYOZE PEREZ
After scoring the only goal in a vital win over Bournemouth last Saturday, Newcastle forward Ayoze Perez is one again being mooted as a transfer target of the Premier League’s top clubs – including Tottenham Hotspur.
No doubt, the former Spain U21 is certainly an impressive talent – one that allegedly caught the attention of Barcelona and Real Madrid whilst scoring 17 goals in 50 outings for ex-employers Tenerife.
His return for the Magpies, 10 in 46, perhaps doesn’t quite justify the 22-year-old’s abilities in quite the same way. But he’s an intelligent forward with lightening quick feet who excels at finding pockets of space in the final third; I’m sure he’d blossom in a more talented, more progressive side.
As aforementioned, Tottenham are one of the clubs in the mix to sign the 5 foot 10 forward, who can lead the line on his own but performs best when deployed just behind a central striker. The Lilywhites could soon find their interest eclipsed, however, by fellow suitors Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.
MAURO ICARDI
Inter Milan frontman Mauro Icardi was Serie A’s top scorer last term, notching up 22 goals in 36 appearances, and was resultantly linked to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United during the summer.
But the Argentina international is struggling with the ever-difficult follow-up album, netting only thrice across all competitions and resultantly dropped by Roberto Mancini for a potential decider against Roma two weekends ago.
Despite signing a four-year contract and being awarded Nerazzurri’s armband during the summer, the 22-year-old skipper already has one eye on leaving the San Siro according to some sources, with a preference to ply his trade in either England or Spain.
Icardi isn’t the most of holistic of contributors, but he does what strikers do best – consistently score goals. Whether that’s enough to justify his £25million price-tag, however, remains open to debate.
Likewise, whilst all the other strikers on this list would probably accept a secondary role to Harry Kane, Icardi is keen to become the star man at a major club.
JESE
A potential signing that would fit Tottenham’s transfer policy perfectly, 22-year-old Real Madrid forward Jese is in need of a new home.
Indeed, the Spaniard’s talent is obvious and his overall return for Los Blancos isn’t too bad, 14 in 65, considering he’s described most accurately as a winger-forward and has spent the vast majority of his Bernabeu career featuring from the bench.
Inevitably, however, Jese’s struggled for game-time over the likes of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema and his development has resultantly stalled – especially since a nasty ACL injury in March 2014.
Rumour has it the 5 foot 10 attacker is now ready to listen to offers from potential suitors after making just four La Liga starts from a possible nine this term, and although he’s a little lightweight, to say the least, Jese’s trickery and electric pace would certainly have an impact in the Premier League.
Blessed with great potential and offering enormous resale value, Spurs would be wise to snap up the Real wantaway. Currently, however, Arsenal and Chelsea are believed to be the keenest parties.
