Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has had plenty to moan about after his side’s dismal Carling Cup exit and inability to see off lowly Everton in the EPL last Sunday.   With the January transfer window fast approaching, it will be no surprise if Redknapp repeats his usual pre-window claim that his side are “two or three players” short.   And despite Spurs maintaining a top-four challenge, there are signs that there will be plenty of movement in and out of White Hart Lane in the New Year.

Meanwhile, there was better news on the injury front as long-term absentee Luka Modric may soon be available for first team selection again.

After the 2-0 League Cup defeat to Manchester United’s youngsters, Redknapp bemoaned the lack of “atmosphere”, claiming Spurs “never got going” in what was a repeat of last year’s final and a chance for Spurs to reach their third successive final.

And he proclaimed himself “frustrated…we threw two points away” as they failed to hang on to a two-goal lead at Goodison Park and Jermaine Defoe wasted a last-minute chance to win the game anyway from the penalty spot.

Redknapp selected Defoe and Peter Crouch at Everton. And there have been reports that his other two main strikers, Irish international Robbie Keane and the Russian Roman Pavlyuchenko are on their way out.

 

Pavlyuchenko’s agent Oleg Artemov this week started what sounded like a mischievous rumour that Pavlyuchenko could be joining Spurs’ North London rivals Arsenal.   The Gunners need a tall striker, apparently. And the move would unite Pavlyuchenko with Russian international colleague Andrei Arshavin, whose move to the Emirates at the end of last winter’s window has proved a success.   However, Serie A side Roma still seem the 28-year-old’s most likely destination, with Spartak Moscow also possible suitors should he wish to return to his native Russia.

Keane could be in line with a move to Glasgow giants Celtic, with the Scottish club’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond keen to facilitate a loan move for the unsettled Dubliner, who is a popular figure with Celtic fans

Spurs themselves have been linked with a number of players for every department of the team.

Swiss international keeper Eldin Jakupovic is a target, alongside Sunderland’s Anton Ferdinand or in-demand Manchester City former England right-back Micah Richards.

And Spurs have reportedly bid £7m for Brazil under-20 captain Sandro from Internacional and £10m for Ivory Coast striker Seydou Doumbia, currently at Swiss outfit Young Boys of Berne.

Meanwhile, they have also offered long-serving centre-back Ledley King a new two-year contract worth a reported £70,000-a-week, despite his well-documented injury problems, which have long prevented him from training or playing consecutive games even when free of injuries such as his current hamstring strain.

Their midfield will be further strengthened with Modric’s return. The Croatian playmaker, who fractured his leg against Birmingham in August, successfully came through 70 minutes of a practice match this week.

He said: “I did not feel any pain and that is the most important thing…I can’t wait to play again.”