Tottenham Hotspur's Transfer Rumour XI

The official opening of the summer transfer window is upon us. As ever, Tottenham Hotspur are being linked with a massive number of players. 

If the rumours were to be believed, Spurs' lineup for the coming Premier League campaign would be unrecognisable from the one just gone.

With that in mind, it's time to have some fun and select the Spurs Transfer Window XI.

The rules are simple: If Spurs have been linked to the player by a major print or online source, they qualify for selection.

No current Tottenham players are eligible for the side. 

Let's see who made the cut.

Goalkeeper

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According to the Daily Mail, Spurs are one of a host of clubs targeting international centurion and former Wigan Athletic 'keeper Ali Al-Habsi. 

The 33-year-old is a veteran of 10 years in English football and is available on a free transfer after being released by Latics.

Having spent his entire career with struggling sides, Al-Habsi is not afraid of dealing with a barrage of shots from the opposition and would form a solid foundation for this special lineup.

In reality, Spurs are unlikely to sign a goalkeeper still in the relative prime of his career to serve as third choice behind Hugo Lloris and Michel Vorm. 

Defence

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Given that Spurs have both Danny Rose and Ben Davies to chose from at left-back in their actual lineup, it is a difficult position to fill for the Transfer XI. It is perhaps the only position where rumours are thin on the ground.

It is for that reason that Jonny Evans will be asked to play out of position on the left side of defence. The Liverpool Echo suggests that Spurs will rival Everton for the Manchester United man's signature, and with few alternate options on that side of defence, he will need to fill in. 

Aston Villa hard man Ron Vlaar is available on a free transfer and thinks he can "take a step higher," relayed by London 24. Although he is more likely to join former Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, Vlaar represents an excellent signing for our rumours XI.

Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld will be the rock at the back for this side. After a season on loan at Southampton, he is experienced in English football and ready to take a step up and join Spurs. 

Sky Sports has reported that Atleti are ready to sit down with Alderweireld to discuss his future and named Spurs among his suitors.

Burnley's Kieran Trippier takes his place on the right side of defence in our team, with the Mirror just one of many sources reporting Spurs' interest in the full-back.

Trippier has proved his quality in defence and attack at Turf Moor, and this side is fortunate to have him. He reportedly has a £3.5 million release clause and, after an impressive Premier League campaign with the Clarets, would be an excellent understudy to Kyle Walker.

Midfield

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Everton midfielder James McCarthy was a transfer target for Spurs when he left relegated Wigan in 2013 and in the January window last season. Now, Goal suggests Tottenham will finally get their man. 

McCarthy's capacity to play in a two-man midfield sets him apart from similar players, so he is the first midfielder selected in this rumours XI. 

If Spurs do manage to snap up McCarthy this summer, he will find himself in a highly competitive environment but has the quality to snatch a starting role. 

Marseille's Giannelli Imbula is a rising star in Ligue 1, and multiple sources have linked him with a summer move to Spurs.

Imbula has unrivalled athleticism and will provide the strength and aggression in the middle of our transfer team.

The midfield duo of Imbula and McCarthy should be able to mix it up with most Premier League sides. 

This lineup also needs flair, and it will find it in the form of Crystal Palace wideman Yannick Bolasie. The Daily Star is one of many outlets to have linked Bolasie with a summer move to Tottenham. 

Bolasie has the quality to make a difference against even the meanest of defences in England. When he visited White Hart Lane last December, Bolasie put on a real show. He'll be one of the stars of our Transfer XI.

On the other wing, the Transfer XI could have selected Mohamed Salah, who has been linked with a move to the club by ESPN FC, but we will instead opt for Everton's Kevin Mirallas. 

The Telegraph reports that the Belgian is keen to swap Merseyside for London, with Aaron Lennon moving the other way as part of the deal. 

Mirallas is as mercurial as Bolasie, so this lineup may be a little hit or miss, but they will be sensational when on song.

Attack

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So far, our Transfer XI has a solid defence and skilful midfield. It's time to take care of the attack. 

The Independent says that Monaco striker Anthony Martial is a transfer priority for Spurs. The 19-year-old striker has been compared to Thierry Henry. 

He only scored eight goals in the past season, but as a prolific scorer at youth international level, he appears poised to kick on, meaning the Transfer XI will have a long-term option up front. 

Reports in France (via Daily Mail) claim that Spurs have already struck an £18.1 million deal to sign Martial, but it's certainly not yet official, so he still qualifies for our lineup. 

His partner in attack will be another 19-year-old forward: Timo Werner. The Mirror is among the many outlets reporting that Spurs are keen on acquiring the Stuttgart forward. 

Much like Martial, Werner didn't score a huge number of goals this past season but is a regular scorer in youth internationals and clearly has huge potential. 

Final Lineup

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Starting Lineup: Ali Al Habsi; Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Ron Vlaar, Jonny Evans; Yannick Bolasie, Giannelli Imbula, James McCarthy, Kevin Mirallas; Anthony Martial and Timo Werner.

If the transfer rumours are to be believed, Spurs could name a team full of new players that would be competitive in the Premier League.  

There is an attractive combination of youth, experience and plenty of flair. They would likely concede more than their fair share of goals, but they should score plenty too. 

This team is only a selection of the players linked to Spurs in this transfer period. They wouldn't beat the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, but they would certainly see off plenty of others.