Dream Summer Transfers Shopping List for Tottenham Hotspur

Despite the dual disappointments of League Cup Final defeat to Chelsea and an earlier-than-expected Europa League exit, Tottenham's season remains very much alive. 

In hot pursuit of the teams above them, Spurs still have their sights set on the top four. 

While Champions League qualification will not make or break Mauricio Pochettino's maiden campaign in north London, it would certainly have a lasting impact on his club. 

Reaching Europe's top competition, or even returning to the Europa League, will have a direct impact on the players that Pochettino is able to lure to White Hart Lane ahead of next season. 

The price tags and reputations of Spurs' targets will depend largely on which, if any, European competition they find themselves in next season, but the types of players that they will pursue should not change. 

Pochettino famously has supreme confidence in his style and will only want players that match his footballing philosophy. 

Ahead of next season, Tottenham's targets are somewhat predictable. 

In attack, Spurs need a forward who can play alongside and in place of Harry Kane as well as a wide player who can compete with the trio of wingers in the current squad. 

Dmitry Lovetsky/Associated Press

Spurs were heavily linked with Dutch World Cup star Memphis Depay in the summer, and he remains the No. 1 target for the coming summer.

Depay has blossomed this season, showing the wisdom of rejecting a move immediately following his emergence for the Netherlands. He has a remarkable 21 goals for club and country in 2014-15 and, at just 21, has huge potential to develop.

His similarities to a young Arjen Robben were clear 12 months ago, but he is growing to more than justify that heady tag.  

Monaco's Belgian youngster Yannick Ferreira Carrasco has emerged in this season's Champions League and, if his club fail to qualify for that competition for next season, he could be another ideal target. 

Charlie Austin is another who has been mentioned as a potential Spurs target this summer, but despite his obvious quality, he is not the sort of player that Pochettino would want. 

Instead of a player like Austin, Pochettino would prefer a younger player like Renne's Paul-Georges Ntep or even (and we return to the realm of dreams once more) Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette. 

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The peerless Hugo Lloris certainly needs no replacement while Michel Vorm is an adequate back-up. Given the value of continuity in the goalkeeping position, Spurs are unlikely to make major moves in that area. 

Some mischievous tabloids have linked Lloris to an exit, but his hefty contract and heftier valuation are likely to prevent a move this summer. 

While Pochettino was appointed before any of Spurs' summer transfers were completed, it is unlikely that he was heavily involved in recruitment. Federico Fazio aside, the club had likely already identified those players that came in. 

The signing of Dele Alli in January is probably indicative of Pochettino's preferences as far as transfers going forward. Young and full of potential, Alli combines the skill and athleticism that Pochettino desires among his players. 

Alli also probably fills the quota in midfield so Spurs are unlikely to make major buys there. 

Tottenham's back-line, as ever, needs work. Both in terms of depth and quality, Spurs' defence is lacking. 

Kyle Walker is yet to rediscover his best form since returning from injury, and the sale of Kyle Naughton leaves Spurs a little light at right-back. Ryan Fredericks, enjoying a solid season on loan at Middlesbrough, could find a place in the squad next season, while DeAndre Yedlin is another option. Yedlin is yet to make his debut but, as his performance in the United States' most recent friendly against Panama showed, he remains a rough diamond. 

With Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches having proven themselves unreliable in central defence, a priority for Spurs must be a fourth centre-back. Southampton's Toby Alderweireld would be a dream signing, but Federico Fazio, Eric Dier and Vertonghen are a solid three so Spurs target should be a youngster with potential. 

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

Assuming that Pochettino eschews the option to bring Milos Veljkovic, Ajax's Joel Veltman would bring European experience and huge potential. He is also flexible enough to fill in at full-back in an emergency. 

Tottenham have no need of big-name signings before next season. They have a young core of home-grown players and a handful of brilliantly talented foreigners. The balance is delicate, and there is no room for overgrown egos (see the exiles of Kaboul and Emmanuel Adebayor).

Pochettino will not sign off on signings that do not fit his blueprint, so the only players on whom he will approve will be upgrades on current members of the squad. 

This summer, more than most, it will be easier to sort the nonsensical transfer rumours from those that have weight.