Tottenham’s five top transfer needs to address this summer

2. Another attacker

Quite a few Spurs fans on social media love to say that adding a player who would enter the current starting XI would simply be too expensive. I scoff at the notion that a quality attacking midfielder couldn’t find his way into Pochettino’s starting group.

This does hinge on my belief that Victor Wanyama, Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier should rotate in the defensive midfield. If you operate on that assumption, there is a significant opening in the lineup alongside Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli in the attacking midfield trio.

Some believe Son Heung-Min is the answer to that void, but I like him much more as an interesting option off the bench against elite opposition. He should get plenty of match time, but I don’t think he’s locked down a starting place.

Others might argue for Erik Lamela here. While I love the way he fits into the starting XI when he’s fit, he just isn’t a solid enough bet to be available for an entire campaign. Spurs have to consider anything they get from the talented Argentine as a welcome surprise at this point.

The only other possible option in the current squad is Georges-Kevin N’Koudou. While I’ve been encouraged by what we’ve seen from the Frenchman this summer, he isn’t ready for a spot in the starting XI in big matches. He’s more a bench option and Cup starter at the moment.

That leaves a gaping hole for someone like Ross Barkley or Mateo Kovacic. Neither player would be an inexpensive signing, but either could turn the club’s second biggest weakness into a strength immediately upon their arrival.