5 Strikers Tottenham Should Target in the 2015 Summer Transfer Window
Harry Kane's 30 goal (and counting), name-making season has decidedly changed the face of Tottenham Hotspur's attack.
Previous first-choice front men Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado have steadily seen their involvement decrease, the senior forward pair's patchy performances paling in comparison to those of their young team-mate. Neither have done enough to persuade head coach Mauricio Pochettino to alter his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation to accommodate them either.
It is in anticipation of the continuation of a Kane-centric set-up that the following list of five strikers Tottenham should target in the 2015 summer transfer window has been put together.
Some are more likely to be on Spurs' radar than the others. But each possesses qualities which should appeal to Pochettino's likely intent to build around Kane (even if they ultimately arrive as a different name).
First up, another young English striker who has been making an impression in the Premier League this season.
Saido Berahino
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Tottenham have been linked with West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino throughout this season. A move obviously did not come off in the January transfer window, but according to a February article by Mail Online's Rob Shepherd, the North Londoners "are set to win the race" to sign him this summer.
Goals have dried up of late for Berahino, but the 18 he accumulated prior to early March is double his 2013-14 tally. While accomplished is perhaps too strong a description at just 21 years old, this confident and skillful forward is not too far from reaching that level if he maintains this rate of progression.
With Berahino's Premier League readiness, existing attributes and the potential to build on them, he is an ideal fit for Spurs. They saw firsthand the nuisance he can be to opposition teams in both their meetings with the Baggies this season.
Familiar with Kane from the England Under-21 set-up, his speed and willingness to take on defenders would make him a suitably dangerous accomplice. Able to slot into the "wide forward" role, reported by the London Evening Standard's Tom Collomosse, as one of three positions Pochettino wants to add to this summer, the option of a more central role (either as cover for Kane or with him in a front two) would also be there.
West Brom will understandably not want to let one of their better players go cheap (if at all)—Shepherd mentions £25 million as a possible price tag. But the prospect of getting someone who could immediately form one of the division's most devastating attacks in tandem with Kane is something Spurs must consider.
Danny Ings
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Like Berahino, Danny Ings is another of the several young English strikers making waves this season to be linked with Tottenham. The Mirror's Adrian Kajumba was among those linking the North London club with a deadline day swoop earlier this year.
The Burnley front man's form has tailed off of late. Without a goal since February, the aggressiveness which marked his earlier performances—for instance a battling showing which almost rescued a draw against Spurs in December—has also waned.
Given this is Ings' first top-flight campaign, and the difficulty of leading the line for a struggling team, the regression of his performances is not too surprising. But while it will mean he is eyed a little more cautiously by interested clubs, it should not dissuade them.
As regards to Tottenham pursuing the Clarets striker, like Berahino he is another who knows Kane from the England Under-21s.
Ings is less immediately compatible with Kane than the West Brom man. His direct style sees him attack many of the same routes Kane favours, both from deeper positions and inside the penalty area.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old's close control while running at speed, coupled with his ability to create and inhabit threatening positions, could be adapted to a supporting role. It runs the risk of placing a striker used to playing centrally, perhaps cutting a more peripheral figure. Or, relaxed by less pressure on him to carry the scoring burden, it might help his finishing to become less panicked than it has been this season.
With four assists to go with his nine goals, per ESPN FC, Ings has shown he is not a striker all about himself. If he is willing to extend that selflessness to adapted responsibilities, the free agent could be right for Spurs.
Dwight Gayle
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Dwight Gayle would not be so suited to an altered set of responsibilities. Although his skill set extends beyond finishing—he is quick and knows how to use players' attempts to defend him against them—his eye for goal is what makes him tick as a player.
If Tottenham decide they want to augment their Kane-led strikeforce with a poacher, though, the Crystal Palace forward would be well worth considering. After scoring nine in his first top-flight season with the Eagles, Gayle has added a further seven this time around (including in their January win over Spurs).
"He is very straightforward in his work," his Palace boss Alan Pardew said following their win at Burnley, per ESPN FC. "He is quick, good in the air, good attitude... there is not much more you want."
Pardew did issue a note of caution over Gayle—"All he needs is experience and to grow in his confidence"—which has manifested in the recent preference for the more experienced Glenn Murray. In the event of others remaining ahead of him at Selhurst Park, the show of faith from an ambitious club like Spurs might even overcome the restrictions of a continued back-up assignment.
Gayle would become to the go-to alternative/accompaniment to Kane. A striker who knows how to find the back of the net at this level, and supported by the likes of Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela, would have ample opportunity to do so.
The 24-year-old would not be a man for all occasions. But he is a proven scorer at every level he has played in, and shown belief, there is a good chance he would deliver for Spurs.
Javier Hernandez
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Javier Hernandez's winner in Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final vs. Atletico Madrid was a reminder of his ability to grab important goals, a sight which has decreased in regularity in a rough couple of years for the Mexican.
On loan from Manchester United (where he had fallen out of favour following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement), playing opportunities in Spain have not been as plentiful as the man they call Chicharito would have liked. Only two of his 17 La Liga appearances have been starts.
Even so, according to AS' Guillem Balague and Marco Ruiz, Hernandez is keen to remain at Madrid if they take up the option to buy him permanently from United.
In the event the 26-year-old does become available, his record of 60 goals in four seasons with Man United make him a player Spurs would be foolish not to inquire after.
Like Gayle, Hernandez is a more straightforward striking alternative who would add a useful wrinkle to the Spurs attack. Less varied than Kane, he is a penalty box presence who, if created for, will almost certainly score.
Linked with the club several times in recent years, Hernandez was again mentioned as a Tottenham target earlier this month by the Daily Star's Jamie Anderson.
With Hernandez's likely desire to be a first choice if he leaves Real Madrid, Pochettino would need to amend his current system to incorporate him. Assuming Kane's good work continues, he will not be playing second fiddle to anyone at Spurs.
Pedro
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Tottenham signing Barcelona's one-club man Pedro is very much a long shot. But given there is a good chance he will become available this summer, there would be little harm in trying.
Formerly a regular starter for the La Liga side, Pedro's playing time has diminished with boss Luis Enrique opting to play Neymar and Luis Suarez with Lionel Messi in Barca's three-pronged attack.
As the 27-year-old alluded to in an interview with Al Primer Toque, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, the lack of action may force him to consider his options.
Spurs might be hesitant about dipping back into the La Liga market for an attacker after the disappointment with Soldado. Then again, the possibility of signing a World Cup, European Championships and Champions League winner in Pedro would probably see their doubts overruled.
Comfortable playing in a wide role, the Spain international's ability to influence attacks from there, as well his general experience, would make him an enticing partner for Kane. One who could share the scoring load and connect with him, but not get in his way.
With Chelsea (via Marca) and Inter Milan (per the Daily Express' Charles Perrin) among the big clubs said to be in the hunt, it would take considerable powers of persuasion from Pochettino to convince his fellow Spanish speaker to embark on his Tottenham project.
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