Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino keen to buy in domestic market
Thursday 24 December 2015 13:42, UK
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen to sign players already familiar with English football when the January transfer window opens.
Pochettino is likely to target a new striker to offer support to Harry Kane, with Clinton Njie likely to miss the next three months after undergoing knee surgery.
Kane remains the club's only frontline striker, with Son Heung-min, Nacer Chadli and Njie - when fit - able to operate in attack, although all three are happier as attacking midfielders.
"Always it is difficult to bring in players from outside [England]," said Pochettino.
"For them to adapt in the Premier League, to the culture, the language - it is difficult to bring in players from outside. You need to take the right profile.
"I prefer to take players from England first. If we have the option to take players from here, I prefer it - from the Premier League, or the Championship or League One."
Valencia's Alvaro Negredo and Michy Batshuayi of Marseille have been linked with moves to White Hart Lane this week, although Spurs are reluctant, according to Sky sources, to go back in for West Brom striker Saido Berahino after having four bids rejected for him over the summer.
Berahino has scored only three goals since then and has not started in the league for the Baggies since October.
"It is not easy, the transfer window now is not easy," added Pochettino.
"You need one specific player and you can find this player but if not, it is better not to take any decision and work hard with the players you have and wait for the next transfer window.
"We track all different places, different positions because it is our job to try to be aware of what is happening in the market. This does not mean we will sign some players.
"It means only that you are aware and you track those players for the next transfer window in the summer."
Winger Andros Townsend appears set to leave the club, though, having not played a minute for the first team since a public falling out with a club fitness coach in November, with a loan move the likely solution.
Townsend was left on the bench when Pochettino fielded several fringe players against Monaco in the Europa League and the Tottenham head coach suggested a move away from White Hart Lane may be on the cards.
"I am happy with his response, the only problem we have is the number of players in front," said Pochettino.
"Sometimes when you give your place, it is tough to come back into the squad. Always when the player doesn't play, they want to try to find the better solution to play and show their quality.
"Maybe this is a decision we need to speak [about] in the future."
