Serie A hitman joins David Villa among Tottenham targets

When Andre Villas Boas looks back upon the 2012/13 season he may well recognise that aside from the injury to Sandro, it was Tottenham’s failure to recruit at least one high class striker in the January window which ultimately undermined their pursuit of Champions League football.

Jermain Defoe was hindered by injuries for large portions of the campaign, which at times left the listless presence of Emmanuel Adebayor – who mustered just five league goals all season – as the only option available to the Portuguese.

The responsibility for making things happen was all too often the exclusive preserve of Gareth Bale and recruiting some frontline strikers to magnify the Lilywhites’ attacking threat next season must be a chief priority for the club.

Negotiations with Internacional over Brazillian striker Leandro Damiao have been rumbling on for what seems like an eternity and alongside that saga interests in Barcelona’s David Villa and Roma’s Pablo Osvaldo have emerged.

Doubts over Villa’s ability to shine in the top flight were non-existent for now-teammate Cesc Fabregas when asked about his international colleague back in 2008, with the former Arsenal playmaker saying “David would be amazing in the Premier League”.

With Champions League-bound Arsenal and Atletico Madrid thought to be interested in the former Valencia stalwart – who has averaged more than a goal every other start in the league for the last six seasons – it’s far from sure that White Hart Lane would be Villa’s first choice, but Spurs’ willingness to match Barca’s asking price may see them push to the front of the queue for his signature.

Roma’s Osvaldo could be a less pricey alternative and the 27-year-old is available for as little as £8m, with the Giallorossi finally thought to have tired of controversial antics that included fights with teammates and social networking critiques of his manager’s selection policies.

However, despite his foibles he’s a reliable goalsmith having notched 16 times in 25 Serie A performances this term.

Tottenham were outscored by three of the four teams who finished above them in the 2012/13 Premier League and striking additions will be key if they are to achieve a top four finish next season, for which they can be backed at 5/4.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publication