Opinion: The current state of Tottenham’s January transfer window

With the January transfer window over halfway shut, despite getting off to a slow start, Tottenham has finally become active in the last few days.

Depending on who you ask, the list of priorities for Spurs varies in order, although most agree that an attacking right wingback sits atop the pile.

Other problem areas include a quality centreback, and potentially a new goalkeeper to offer competition to the unfortunately declining Hugo Lloris; whilst creative reinforcements in the midfield and forward line also wouldn’t go amiss.

Of course, solving all these problems is near impossible in January, but Tottenham appears to have at least made a start with bids for Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Porro, now ex-Brighton forward Leandro Trossard, and Roma’s Nico Zaniolo.

But are these really the areas we need to be targeting?

Let’s start with Porro, and to answer the above question – yes, without doubt, this is the area Tottenham should prioritise this winter.

Antonio Conte’s tactics are perhaps the worst-kept secret in football; the Italian wants a robust, solid defence, and an attack largely fuelled by the creativity of world-class wingbacks.

Having Ivan Perisic on the left is potentially the most Conte-esc player possible, with the Italian bringing him to North London himself, however, our options on the opposite flank aren’t quite of the same ilk; enter Pedro Porro.

Still just 23, per game Porro averages an impressive 4.46 shot-creating actions, 2.67 shots, receives 4.31 progressive passes, and completes 1.45 dribbles – besting our current starting RWB, Matt Doherty, in each metric (FB Ref).

Moreover, Porro’s 2 goals and 10 assists in 23 appearances in all competitions this season mark a strong return (Transfermarkt), showing he clearly has the attacking output that Conte demands in a wingback.

Tottenham’s interest in the Spaniard has been widely reported, however, his €45m release clause appears to be something of a stumbling block with Sporting refusing to sell for anything less at present.

Spurs have supposedly already had a bid rejected for the defender, offering cash plus an unnamed player (Fabrizio Romano), so it will be interesting to see how this one develops over the coming weeks – but one thing’s for sure, if we can sign him, we should.

In order of supposed interest, until recently Brighton’s Leandro Trossard appeared to be the next name on Spurs’ shopping list.

But after missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea, Arsenal have beaten Spurs in the race for Trossard’s signature, securing his services for a fee in the region of £26m.

This could leave Spurs looking for an alternative forward, with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuarm representing a well-attainable, ready-made replacement.

Whilst Chelsea also held an interest in Thuram, given they’ve added Joao Felix, Mudryk, and Noni Madueke to an already stocked forward line this winter, their pursuit of the Frenchman has presumably dwindled.

Thuram has the markings of a top player, recording a respective 18 and 16-goal contributions in his first two Bundesliga campaigns, and although that significantly dropped last season that’s mainly owing to various spells on the treatment table.

However, with 10 Bundesliga goals and three assists in 2022/23, Thuram looks to be back to his best, whilst he was also impressive in his World Cup cameos with France.

Moreover, like Richarlison, he is comfortable playing all across the frontline meaning he can offer versatile cover in a number of positions, and at 25 he is arguably still well in his prime.

With his contract expiring this summer, Thuram is reportedly available for under £10m; phenomenal value for a player of his ability, so if Conte is keen to bring another forward to N17 a move for the Frenchman looks to make a lot of sense.

Finally, news has surfaced over the last 48 hours or so that Spurs have renewed our interest in Roma’s Nicolas Zaniolo.

Conte was keen to bring the Italian playmaker to N17 in the summer, but Roma boss Jose Mourinho was adamant about keeping him on their books.

Tottenham have apparently offered to loan Zaniolo with an obligation to buy given certain criteria are met, although it’s believed Roma would prefer a permanent sale this window (Sky Sports).

Looking at our current midfield cohort, Spurs could certainly do with an injection of creativity, as Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Bissouma, Skipp, and Sarr all boast strikingly similar skill sets.

That being said, with Conte religious on deploying the 3-4-3, it’s hard to see exactly where Zaniolo would fit in the team as if the wingbacks are to push forward and join attacks, the remaining two midfielders would primarily be used defensively; not a role Zaniolo is synonymous with.

Moreover, in 128 appearances for Roma, the Italian boasts a relatively underwhelming return of 24 goals and 18 assists, and for the €40m we would likely pay there may be better value to be had elsewhere, however, Paratici has a track record of recruiting talent from the Serie A so we must trust his judgement on matters such as this.

If the three aforementioned names did turn out to be Tottenham’s window, it’s hard not to class that as successful as addressing three of our five clear problem areas in January is an impressive feat – and one that would hopefully be satisfactory to Conte.

With just over a week to go in the window, Spurs fans will be continually refreshing our Twitter feeds in the hope of an impending arrival at N17, and if those do turn out to be Porro, Thuram, and Zaniolo, that certainly wouldn’t be the worst case.

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