The January transfer window has returned a lot of speculation over potential signings at Tottenham Hotspur but no new faces as yet, with a week remaining before the opportunity to add to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad subsides.
Most of the transfer talk in the press has been around Spurs possibly signing an attacking player permanently or on loan, with the tactic designed to add strength in depth to the Lilywhites playing group.
There is an over-reliance in the Tottenham ranks on Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen, with the lack of a Plan B evident in the 1-1 draw against Southampton at the weekend.
Spurs signed Fernando Llorente in the summer to add a back-up option in the striker role, but the Spanish centre forward has struggled to make an impression and at 33 next month is not getting any younger.
As such, even if it is not deemed that Tottenham need another designated number nine in Pochettino’s squad now, that requirement will surely arise in the near future.
Celtic striker Moussa Dembele has long been linked with Spurs – he reportedly was close to joining from Fulham before heading north of the border and he has been linked with the club consistently since.
Brendan Rodgers’ latest comments suggest that the French forward’s head has been turned of late given the amount of speculation linking him with Premier League clubs – and that the Scottish champions are willing to facilitate a move this month.
With a reported fee of £20 million touted in the press, is it time for Tottenham to make their move?
On the face of it, Dembele has all the attributes that Spurs look for in prospective signings – he is young, hard-working and has room to improve under Pochettino’s guidance.
While the quality of the Scottish Premiership is not akin to the challenges the striker would face at Tottenham, the French forward’s form last season was scintillating.
Add to this the fact that Dembele has starred in the Champions League for Celtic and continues to impress for an impressive France under-21 side – this is clearly a player of quality.
His pace, power and predatory instinct have been evident throughout his career. With Pochettino’s help to work on the striker’s mentality and tactical acumen, Tottenham could have a star on their hands.
Last season when Dembele was firing on all cylinders, monumental transfer fees were been mooted for Celtic to sell him.
Now, with the French forward suffering from a few niggling injuries and clearly wanting to leave Parkhead, the price Tottenham would need to pay has become a lot more reasonable.
As such, making a £20 million move to sign Dembele now – and even loaning him back to Celtic for the rest of the season – would be a smart move by Daniel Levy and the Spurs hierarchy.
As long as Harry Kane is at the club, Tottenham will always only be looking for a back-up option to the attacking talisman – Dembele is as good as any to fulfil this role and is available at a fair price.