Tottenham’s dilemma: This January transfer window’s options weighed up

Sunday’s 2-1 reverse against a revitalised Manchester United has left Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino with a dilemma.

It was not only that Tottenham lost, allowing Manchester United to close the gap and make it a four-horse race for third and fourth.

The injuries to Harry Kane and Moussa Sissoko were in fact if anything more costly.

Especially as Son Heung Min is now away with South Korea in the Asia Cup. Kane and Son have scored 47% of Spurs’ Premier League goals this season

With only two weeks of the transfer window left, Levy and Pochettino will now need to decide if they need to plunge into the transfer market.

The situation is even further complicated as Tottenham only have two fit central midfielders in Harry Winks and the inexperienced Oliver Skipp, although Eric Dier is close to a return.

Son could be away for three weeks and Tottenham have indicated that Kane will be out until March.

Sissoko has had no timeframe put on his return as of yet.

Tottenham have suffered a host of injuries this season and currently have Victor Wanyama, Lucas Moura and Eric Dier out through injury.

With those injuries as well as Kane and Sissoko, Pochettino has very few choices in midfield and attack.

In addition, Mousa Dembele’s move to China has been confirmed.

Michel Vorm, Vincent Janssen, Georges Kevin Nkoudou and Fernando Llorente were all being lined up for moves before the latest injuries.

Tottenham have a hectic schedule between now and March 9, with crucial matches in all four competitions.

These include the semi-final away leg at Chelsea, the Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund and key Premier League fixtures against Arsenal and Chelsea.

Between them, Levy and Pochettino will need to decide whether to gamble on sticking with what they have or inevitably playing over the odds for a January purchase or two.

No doubt they will look again at Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele and Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure, both of whom would cost £50 million or more.

In attack ideally they would be looking at a versatile attacking player with pace and may ask Barcelona about the availability of Malcom on loan with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.

If that option is not available to them they may look at Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson or West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic.

Whatever they decide, they will need to act quickly as the window closes on January 31.

If Tottenham dare risk staying with what they have, they will do so with a threadbare squad, players tired through overplaying.

Pochettino would also have limited choices for tactical changes or impact making substitutions.

They risk being out of all the cup competitions and scrambling for a top-four place from a season that offers a great opportunity to win their first trophy this decade.