Tottenham: 6 Discussed Signings to Take Spurs to the Next Level

For the first time in a long while this season, Tottenham Hotspur holds on an automatic spot in next season's Champions League. 

Back-to-back defeats against Arsenal and Manchester United have closed the gap between third-placed Spurs and the fourth-placed Gunners down to just four points.

The situation serves to highlight that, as good as Spurs have been this season, there is still room for improvement if they are to consolidate their place as a top-three side and perhaps even mount a serious challenge on the Premier League title in the next couple of years.

Here are six players who have been linked to the club who could help do just that. 

Arjen Robben

The Premier League lost one of its most exciting players when Robben left Chelsea for Real Madrid in 2007.

Now at Bayern Munich, the flying Dutchman gave a timely reminder of his quality with his match-winning performance for Netherlands in their 3-2 friendly victory over England last week.

Although his injury problems of old have returned this season, when fit he remains one of the most dangerous attacking players in Europe.

After that international win at Wembley, Robben revealed that he was considering his future in Germany, and he has been linked with Spurs among several other clubs.

While he may not be able to play week in, week out, he would still be a star addition to the Spurs attack.

Eden Hazard

One of the current, highly talented crop of young Belgian players, Hazard is one of the most covered talents in Europe following his title-winning exploits with Lille last season.

The attacking midfielder has already confirmed he will be leaving LOSC at the end of the season, and recently said that he sees a move to White Hart Lane as an appealing option.

Capturing Hazard this summer would send a strong message that Tottenham are a team on the up that is able to attract promising talent.

Loic Remy

A confirmed Tottenham target after Spurs manager Harry Redknapp flew out to France to watch him play for Marseille earlier this year, Remy remains on the club's radar.

The France international, who has scored nine league goals for l'OM this season, almost joined Spurs in January, but the London club would not meet the asking price.

However, Remy has been coy about his future on the French Riviera, and the promise of Champions League football next season may be enough to persuade him that a move to England is the right option.

Jan Vertonghen

Ajax defender Vertonghen was long associated with Arsenal in the summer transfer window, but in the end the Belgian did not make the journey to London to join up with compatriot Thomas Vermaelen.

Now the 24-year-old's name is once again linked move a move to the English capital, only this time with Spurs. With Ledley King still as brilliant as he is injury prone and William Gallas's age creeping up on him, Vertonghen would make for a high-calibre replacement.

He is quite handy in front of the opposition goal, too, having scored five goals in 21 league matches this season. 

Junior Hoilett

One of the most exciting young prospects in the Premier League, Hoilett is already a permanent fixture on the Blackburn team at the age of 21.

The Canadian forward has been one of the few shining lights in a torrid campaign for Rovers, and the Lancashire club were relieved to hang on to him for their fight for Premier League survival.

Tottenham appear to be the front-runners for a player who is out of contract in the summer and, as such, would only cost whatever fee a tribunal sets for him.

He may be young, but he certainly has to potential to play at least a significant role as an impact substitute if not push for a first-team place.

Emmanuel Adebayor

When Spurs secured the season-long loan of Adebayor in the summer from Manchester City, where he had been frozen out completely, it was universally hailed as a a shrewd move.

That is, with one caveat: don't make the deal permanent.

The conclusion from the striker's previous spells at Arsenal and City is that he will play well when he first joins a club or when he is looking for a move elsewhere, but in between he will not give his all for the cause.

Spurs have certainly got the best out of him trying to play his way into a full contract at White Hart Lane. So well, in fact, that he has quickly become indispensable and will be very hard to replace come this summer.

It may seem like a gamble, but if Adebayor can be coaxed into performing the way he has been recently once he has his feet under the table then he would be worth every penny.