Playing for 90
Fansided

Tottenham may skip the January transfer window and still delight their fans

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur looks on from the stands during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 20, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur looks on from the stands during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 20, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Tottenham have other January priorities

Most Spurs fans agree that Tottenham could use a couple of smart January additions to help the squad reach their goals this season. However, it’s entirely possible that the club can win the January transfer window without spending a penny.

Quite a few fans are dismayed at Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to let Ross Barkley move to Chelsea without a fight. Reports out of England claim the Everton midfielder may be a member of Antonio Conte’s squad by the end of the day. Many members of the English press claim that Spurs have decided to pursue other transfer targets instead.

While I acknowledge it’s possible that Spurs have other targets, I don’t think that’s the most likely explanation for letting Barkley move to Stamford Bridge. The truth is that Tottenham may need to spend their money elsewhere.

It’s no secret that Harry Kane is one of the most underpaid footballers on the planet. His sincere affection for Tottenham will only keep him in North London so long. The best way that Daniel Levy can keep Kane is to make sure he never starts looking elsewhere. To do that, he must sign him to a bumper new contract. Sitting out the January transfer window could provide the club a lot of money to invest to increase their archaic wage structure.

More from Tottenham Hotspur

Kane isn’t the only player in need of a new deal. Toby Alderweireld’s contract is ticking down with just over one season remaining. Yes, the club could extend it a further year, but that would require the insertion of a laughable release clause. Making one of the best centre backs in Europe available for £25 million would be absolute negligence by Levy.

Alderweireld doesn’t deserve quite as much salary as Kane, but he’ll need a healthy pay increase as well. It’s very possible that his new deal could be funded by foregoing a January signing. Not all Tottenham fans will be satisfied with that decision, but at the very least it’s defensible.

Next: Tottenham player ratings v West Ham: Midfield malaise

Count me among the fans who think inking Kane and Alderweireld to new deals should be the club’s top priority at the moment. In an ideal world there is enough money to do that and add a smart signing or two in January. If there isn’t enough money to do both, Spurs can win the window by signing their two best players to new contracts.

Home/Tottenham Hotspur