Spurs return to familiar target to put wind beneath their wings

There are more than a handful of players at Tottenham that could be reasonably fearful for their future at White Hart Lane this January, but as the club’s latest transfer target emerges from the rumour mill, it’s the wingers who should be trembling most.

That target is nobody new, with Dnipro flyer Yevhen Konoplyanka a subject of north London interest a year ago, but Spurs’ chase of the player does nothing to diminish the chances of Aaron Lennon, Andros Townsend and Erik Lamela’s leaving the club this month.

It was Liverpool who came closest to singing the Ukrainian international last time he was a Premier League target, but Spurs battled the Reds tooth and nail for his signature back then and, with Brendan Rodgers seemingly out of the running this time following his Luis Suarez-funded spree, the Lilywhites seem free to chase the winger unopposed.

Konoplyanka’s contract at Dnipro expires this summer and the club are reportedly willing to sell him for around £7m this January in order to avoid losing him for nothing at the end of the season, making him an attractive prospect for Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine, who is 11/2 to guide Spurs to the top four in his first season at the club, looks set to have an early spring clean of his inherited cupboards during the winter transfer window, with his current wingers close to the top of the list to be sold first.

Lennon looks most at risk, having last started a game of any kind back in early December, but both Townsend and Lamela, who have seen greater game time than the former England international but have provided no more consistency, could also be shown the exit door should an appropriate offer come in.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Paulinho, Kyle Naughton, Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches are also reportedly players Pochettino would lose little sleep over selling this January, as the former Southampton boss looks to trim down a bloated squad.

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