Tottenham planning last minute swoop for backup striker

Fernando Llorente’s days backing up Harry Kane at Tottenham may soon be over. Spurs are looking to add another striker before the deadline window closes.

Two early goals in the preseason sparked some hopes that Fernando Llorente could earn his place at Tottenham for this season. Unfortunately, he’s been entirely anonymous since then. That is why Spurs are now interested in bringing Jay Rodriguez in the final days of the transfer window.

The West Brom attacker is very familiar with Mauricio Pochettino from their days together at Southampton. He certainly isn’t the daring signing many Spurs fans were looking to make this summer, but he could turn into a valuable squad member. The fact that he is also a home-grown product increases his appeal for Tottenham.

Rodriguez’s real value to the squad would be his attacking versatility. He can play as a stand alone striker or as an attacker out on the wing. He doesn’t have the bulk to really hold the ball up, but he still has enough speed to keep opposing defenders concerned about his late runs into the box.

West Brom, of course, are in no real position to keep him after suffering relegation. Their focus now is making sure they get the highest transfer fee possible for the 29-year-old attacker. Tottenham aren’t the only club interested in Rodriguez’s services. Bournemouth, West Ham and Crystal Palace have all expressed some measure of interest in the Englishman.

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Unlike some potential transfers, this is a move that should be entirely within Tottenham’s hands. If they want to bring Rodriguez to North London, they have the financial resources to make it happen. Rodriguez would clearly be keen on the idea of working with Pochettino again. He played the best football of his career under the tutelage of the Argentine gaffer.

The real question is where Rodriguez ranks on Tottenham’s current list of transfer targets. The club haven’t been linked with very many potential strikers. As such, it’s safe to assume that their interest in Rodriguez is solid at the very least.

It should be an interesting couple of days for Tottenham supporters ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline. No one should be surprised to see Rodriguez hold up a Spurs kit on Deadline Day.