Tottenham Hotspur Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of November 3
The transfer window is approaching, and Tottenham's strengths and weaknesses are becoming more apparent with every game.
Unfortunately for Spurs fans, there are very few encouraging rumours at this stage.
Mauricio Pochettino's men are desperate for reinforcements in defence and midfield, while they are leaning on 21-year-old Harry Kane for goals.
This article will be updated throughout the week with the latest news and rumours.
Last updated: Wednesday, November 5
Pochettino Considering Three-Man Strike Solution?
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According to the Mirror, Mauricio Pochettino is casting a wide net to alleviate Spurs' striker problems. Harry Kane may be winning the headlines but Spurs are still looking for attacking reinforcements.
Colorful Colombian striker Teolfilo Gutierrez is rumoured to be among the targets with Spurs preparing a £6 million bid.
Gutierrez scored for Colombia at the World Cup and has a fine return of 10 goals in 11 games for River Plate in the Torneo Inicial this season. His striking exploits have led River to the top of the league but his abrasive personality means that the Argentine giants are willing to make a deal. In 2012, Gutierrez infamously threatened teammates with a paintball gun while he has also been accused of faking injury and international duty while at different clubs.
Small, pacy and possessing a powerful shot with both feet, 'Teo' may represent value for money but his questionable temperament probably suggests that Spurs should steer clear.
The Mirror also renews reports that Spurs will return for Jay Rodriguez in the winter transfer window. Popular with British papers since the end of the summer window, completion of this deal would mercifully end the regularity with which it comes up.
Finally, the Mirror suggest that Borussia Monchengladbach winger Patrick Herrmann is also on Spurs' transfer wishlist. BMG are enjoying their best start to a season in 40 years and are unlikely to be keen to sell. Unfortunately for them, the realities of modern football mean that should Spurs push hard enough, they will get their man.
At 23-years-old, Herrmann is likely ready to make his big move but that will probably come next summer.
Herrmann is skilful, energetic and very quick. Were Spurs able to close the deal, they would have a player seemingly tailor-made for the Premier League.
Assou-Ekotto January Exit Hits Stumbling Block
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According to the Daily Mirror, Spurs' efforts to offload Benoit Assou-Ekotto are being held up by his wage demands. Assou-Ekotto reportedly earns £50,000 per week. In comparison, Crystal Palace's Dwight Gayle reportedly attracts a wage of £18,000 per week.
Speaking to The Guardian in 2010, Assou-Ekotto famously admitted that he only plays football because it pays so well. With that in mind, it is hard to imagine him taking a serious pay cut just to play.
Unless Spurs can find a club willing to match his significant wages, Assou-Ekotto is likely to remain a non-playing member of the squad.
Shaqiri to Solve Spurs' Creativity Problems?
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Xherdan Shaqiri was one of Europe's most exciting young talents when he joined Bayern Munich in 2012.
He has since made 75 appearances but been unable to really establish himself in the team.
Unfortunately for Shaqiri, he has two of the great wide players in Europe ahead of him in Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.
At the World Cup in Brazil, Shaqiri showed his best form with Switzerland, scoring a hat-trick in the group stage against Honduras.
According to Here Is The City (h/t TuttoMercatoWeb.com), Spurs have now reportedly turned to the Bayern man.
Shaqiri would provide pace, drive and an excellent foil for Erik Lamela. Far more effective with the ball than any of Spurs' other wide options, Shaqiri would inject energy into Tottenham's stop-start attack.
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