Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho had stated that he ‘honestly believes’ the club will sign a new striker before the close of the transfer window – but the Lilywhites coach could well be setting himself up for disappointment.
The Spurs boss was asked ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener against Everton about the prospects of the North London club signing a centre forward soon – and was positive in his response.
“I want a striker,” Sky Sports quoted Tottenham boss Mourinho as saying.
“But I want to make it very clear that the club – if you want to call it the club or the structure above me – knows I need a striker and they also want a striker.
“I believe we will get a striker, I honestly believe so.”
Mourinho relationship with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy promises to be an interesting one this season – and whether he gets a new striker before the window closes on October 5 will play a big role in shaping it.
The Spurs boss has a track record of petulance when he doesn’t get what he wants – this was evident during his time at Manchester United, when targets slipped away and reinforcements were not landed.
Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, a much more mild-mannered and pragmatic man than Mourinho, was pushed to the brink by Levy’s frugality and the lack of new faces arriving at the club when it was most needed.
Here’s hoping that Spurs can sign a striker of note in the next few weeks that can add to the club’s squad depth and provide back-up and competition to Harry Kane.
However, Mourinho may learn a lesson that the Tottenham supporters already firmly know – don’t hold your breath on the club’s wallet being opened.