Tottenham Hotspur Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of November 17

The transfer window is now tantalisingly close.

Tottenham Hotspur, according to the papers, are ready to take action as soon as it opens. 

Mauricio Pochettino has largely escaped criticism for Tottenham's poor start, and the Standard argue that chairman Daniel Levy must back his manager in January. 

Pochettino is ready to both sell and buy to re-shape his squad. 

This article will be updated with all the best transfer news throughout the week. 

Last updated: Friday, November 22 

Spurs Miss out on Croatian Starlet

Fernando Vergara/Associated Press

Chelsea appear to have beaten Spurs to the signing of young Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric. 

According to the Metro, Tottenham had been close to a deal for the youngster but Jose Mourinho seems to have got his man. 

The Daily Mail reported that Spurs were leading the race just yesterday with both Inter and Milan also keen. 

He has been stunningly prolific this season, scoring 27 goals in 19 games and also made his senior debut in August.

Kramaric appears likely to join the lengthy list of Tottenham targets that have gone on to star for Chelsea. Brazilian duo Willian and Oscar are just two of the players that the Blues have beaten Spurs to in recent seasons. 

Pochettino Ready to Unload Underperforming Stars

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Tottenham have made a disastrous start to their Premier League campaign. While they remain unbeaten in the Europa League and League Cup, their league form has been desperately poor. 

According to the Daily Mirror, midfielder Mousa Dembele and full-back Kyle Naughton will pay the price. Both will be sold immediately to open up funds and squad places for new players.

The arrival of DeAndre Yedlin from Seattle Sounders will likely make Naughton Spurs' third-choice right-back. He has improved under Pochettino but will never challenge a fully fit Kyle Walker.

Dembele made a brilliant start to his Tottenham career but injuries derailed him, and he is now far below his best. Puzzlingly, he remains a regular starter for Belgium but will not be missed if he does move on. 

The Standard suggest that Aaron Lennon, Roberto Soldado and Andros Townsend will also leave the club in January. Again, none will be a significant loss to Spurs, as they have each underperformed this season. 

Paulinho and Vlad Chiriches have also been mentioned as potential departures. 

It is unlikely that Spurs will sell that many members of their first-team squad, but Pochettino is evidently ready to make some tough decisions.

One Striker Out, One In?

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The Daily Mail are reporting that both Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado are available to be sold in January. Their potential departures will facilitate a move for Southampton's Jay Rodriguez or West Brom striker Saido Berahino. 

Manchester City have apparently emerged as a rival for Rodriguez. The long-time Spurs target has added value for the champions as a homegrown player. 

Spurs unquestionably need reinforcements in attack, and both Berahino and Rodriguez would significantly improve Pochettino's options in attack.

However, they are both currently in demand, so Spurs will probably struggle to get either one.

Espanyol Defender to Stiffen Spurs' Back Four?

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Espanyol defender Hector Moreno spoke recently of his appreciation for Mauricio Pochettino, his former manager, per the Standard. 

Spurs' defence has struggled for consistency this season, and the Mail suggest that Pochettino is keen for a reunion as soon as January. 

Moreno continues to recover from a fractured tibia suffered during the World Cup. Should he recover fully, he would be a significant improvement on Spurs' weakest defender.

Were Vlad Chiriches to be sold, Moreno could be brought in to take his squad place.