Transfer talk: Tottenham Hotspur in market for ‘very specific’ kind of striker

Mauricio Pochettino admits that while the team have a number of offensive players who can mimic a striker, 'maybe it is true ... they are not a specific striker so maybe ... we can add in the next transfer window'.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino shown during his team's Premier League match against Chelsea last weekend. Ben Stansall / AFP / November 29, 2015

Mauricio Pochettino admits Tottenham Hotspur could do with buying another out-and-out striker in the January transfer window to help Harry Kane.

Spurs failed to land a centre forward in the summer, despite making a series of bids for Saido Berahino, leaving Kane to shoulder the burden almost single-handedly so far.

Kane has played in all of Tottenham’s 20 fixtures this season and started every game but two, coming off the bench in Europa League matches against Qarabag and Anderlecht.

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Pochettino has previously argued that Son Heung-min, Clinton N’Jie, Nacer Chadli and even Erik Lamela could step in up front but all those players are more comfortable playing wide as attacking midfielders.

Kane’s excellent form and unwavering fitness have made light of Tottenham’s vulnerability but Pochettino admits it is an area the club may look at again.

“We have offensive players who can play like Harry. There is Sonny or Chadli or Clinton – they can play like a striker,” Pochettino said.

“But maybe it’s true. I recognise they are not a specific striker so maybe we work to try to find such a player we can add in the next transfer window or in the summer to try to help the team.

“We are trying to follow players now, but it is very difficult. What is most important is that we do not rock the balance of the team. It is important we find someone who is very specific.

“For me, always you want to find a striker that scores a lot of goals and who has good physical condition, good characteristics, can press, work hard and is a nice guy too.”

Read more: The National's Transfer Talk page

Berahino was Tottenham’s number one target at the end of the summer but they failed to agree a fee with West Bromwich Albion, who repeatedly made public their frustration regarding Spurs’ bids.

Pochettino may get to see Berahino up close on Saturday, when his side face West Brom at the Hawthorns, but the Argentine played down suggestions the forward may raise his game.

“You never know because it is impossible to be in that player’s mind,” Pochettino said.

“West Brom have a lot of good players. You can’t be more worried about some players because of rumours or what happened in the summer.”

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