Tottenham willing to sell two stars to fund double transfer

Tottenham are prepared to sell Dele Alli and Matt Doherty in the January transfer window as they look to strengthen two positions, according to The Athletic journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke.

Spurs have improved in recent weeks under Antonio Conte with two wins over Brentford and Norwich City followed up by a 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday.

But Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will have no doubt promised Conte some money to spend in January as he looks to put his stamp on the squad.

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Wolves winger Adama Traore and Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin have been linked with a January transfer to Spurs, while there has been speculation that Alli could be leaving the Premier League club on loan.

And Tottenham reporter for The Athletic Pitt-Brooke has addressed those rumours, he said: “Traore was someone they tried to sign in the summer to reunite with his old Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo. Saint-Maximin would be hugely exciting but I can’t see Newcastle United even considering an offer for him.

“As for the left-sided centre-back and midfielder, you may have to wait until the summer. Dele? That’s a big call, and as we reported recently, Spurs are willing to let him leave on loan in January. Maybe that will have the restorative effect you’re hoping for and he’ll come back to the club and rediscover the levels of those early years.

“I don’t think that’s hugely likely, though I’d love to see it happen. It will be fascinating to see how he gets on in a new environment and whether a different club can find a role for him that works.”

One area that Tottenham will look to improve is right wing-back with former Wolves defender Doherty potentially on his way out of the club.

Pitt-Brooke added: “An attacking right wing-back is a priority. Emerson Royal has started well enough and is a more reliable defender than Serge Aurier or Matt Doherty have been in that position. But he offers very little in the attacking third, certainly compared to Sergio Reguilon on the opposite side.

“We all know that in Conte’s style of play, the attacking width has to come from the wing-backs and that means someone who can stay wide, attack the byline and get good crosses into the box. Royal doesn’t do that, neither does Japhet Tanganga, and Doherty could well be gone next month if they can find a new club for him.”

When asked if Spurs will get a back-up striker and a box-to-box midfielder in January, Pitt-Brooke continued: “I think another striker is a much likelier signing next month. Ever since the end of the summer window, Spurs have wanted to add one more player for the front line in the January one.

“Remember that they tried to get Traore at the end of the summer window, only for Wolves to pull out of the deal late on. Kane, Son and now Lucas being solid in their positions in the team suggests it might be a fringe player or a youngster who comes in, though, rather than an experienced professional.”