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Tottenham transfer news: Spurs turn to Malcom as club looks to find Harry Kane fill-in

Although Kane himself is hopeful of another quick recovery like last season, the threat to Spurs’ season that the injury represents has led to a change of approach regarding the January market

Miguel Delaney
Chief Football Writer
Thursday 17 January 2019 18:55 GMT
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Mauricio Pochettino doesn't expect Tottenham transfers this month

Tottenham Hotspur are actively looking to sign a forward on a permanent deal this January, in order to ease the pressure on a stretched squad after the injury to Harry Kane.

Although the club had initially been contemplating another successive window without a purchase – this time partly influenced by Mauricio Pochettino’s general reluctance to introduce players to a tight group midseason – The Independent has been told that Kane’s ankle problem has changed the situation.

The star striker picked up the injury in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday and is expected to be out until the beginning of March.

Although Kane himself is hopeful of another quick recovery like last season, the threat to Spurs’ season that the injury represents has led to a change of approach regarding the January market.

The club and Pochettino have realised the need to bring in another option – especially with Son Heung-Min on Asian Cup duty with South Korea – and have been meeting in the last few days to discuss potential options.

Tottenham have already resurrected previous interest in two Spanish-based attackers, Malcom of Barcelona and Antonio Sanabria of Real Betis.

Spurs got to quite an advanced position in the pursuit of Malcom when he left Bordeaux last summer, only for him to move to Camp Nou.

Barca are now making the 21-year-old Brazilian available after a stop-start season so far, albeit on a six-month loan with a clause regarding a summer purchase.

They would prefer €44m up front, something which Spurs would balk at, but it is understand initial contact has been made through intermediaries.

Spurs had similarly looked at Paraguayan international Sanabria when he left Roma in 2016, only for the attacker to go to Real Betis, where he has since sparkled under manager Quique Setien. The 22-year-old has a release clause of €30m, and is someone who again interests the club.

Another option Spurs have scouted is Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen, although his position is slightly more withdrawn, and Pochettino recently dismissed the idea of buying him.

The Argentine ideally wants a player who can fill in for Kane, but also play in other positions when the England international is fit.

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