Sign up to FREE email alerts from Football London - Spurs Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Harry Kane's injury has only accelerated the transfer rumours surrounding Tottenham Hotspur this month, but which of the links actually stand up?

Spurs don't do transfer windows like other clubs, that much has been clear over the years, and they have a very strict model which they stick to on the whole, dictated in part by chairman Daniel Levy and in part by manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino does not look for quick fixes and Levy does not spend big money on players of a certain age, whether that's for a new signing or a new long term deal for older players.

Fernando Llorente was a rare departure from that policy with Pochettino believing that the World Cup and European Championship winner could bring a certain mentality to his attacking players on a two-year deal.

That the experienced Spaniard's transfer has thus far been a flop and his contract will end this summer with his departure has only strengthened the resolve within the club to stick to signing young players who can be turned into stars.

That is why stories linking Tottenham with a move for the injury prone 30-year-old West Ham striker Andy Carroll are surprising. Spurs certainly looked at him as a potential signing years ago, but football.london understands he is not being thought of as a target now.

Other 30-plus players linked with the club in recent days have been Nikola Kalinic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and even a return to these shores for former England captain Wayne Rooney. However, these are not the profile of players Spurs are looking at.

The exit of Mousa Dembele has opened up a foreign player spot in both the Premier League and Champions League squads, but Juan Foyth is expected to take his place in the latter.

(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Vincent Janssen is expected to leave in the coming fortnight after Pochettino made it clear he is not part of his plans while Georges-Kevin Nkoudou could yet depart after his assist at Fulham, despite the manager saying he could have chances to play in the coming weeks.

Pochettino has a close relationship with academy head John McDermott, who forms one quarter of Tottenham's transfer committee, along with Levy, Pochettino and chief scout Steve Hitchen.

The Spurs manager and McDermott speak most days and Pochettino has long been known as a manager who would rather give a chance to an academy player than splash out on a short-term fix or a player who might not fit into the Tottenham ethos.

The academy players, particularly the ones who are involved in first team training, are already well aware of what Pochettino demands from his players.

Kazaiah Sterling, 20, who was on the bench at Fulham, and in particular Troy Parrott, who turns 17 in a fortnight and has been involved in first team training this season, are being eyed up by the Spurs boss as potential attacking players to bring through over the next 12 months, following in the footsteps of Oliver Skipp in central midfield and Kyle Walker-Peters in defence in the last two seasons.

Pochettino and his coaches are wary of blocking the path of various young players coming through, having enjoyed varying degrees of success with the likes of Harry Kane, Harry Winks, Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb and Andros Townsend in recent years, as well as turning other young British players like Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies into Premier League stars.

Despite being wary of blocking the path of academy youngsters, one financial deal that could prove too tempting to ignore is one for Sunderland's Josh Maja.

The London-born striker turned 20 last month, has just six months left on his deal and has indicated that he will not be signing a new contract with his club.

Spurs are weighing up a move for the player, who has scored 15 goals in 24 League One appearances this season, with Sunderland likely to let him leave this month rather than lose him for nothing in the summer. However, other Premier League clubs are also interested in the young striker.

One player Tottenham have decided not to make a move for this month is Hull City's attacking midfielder Jarrod Bowen.

The 22-year-old has been in wonderful form in the Championship, having scored 10 goals in his last nine matches and Spurs scouts have been in attendance watching him in most of those games.

However, football.london understands that at a transfer meeting last week at the club Spurs decided not to make a move for the player.

The club are looking to make a signing in the attacking midfield area this month if an viable opportunity presents itself, a player who is financially within reach and fits Pochettino's requirements.

Leeds United's 18-year-old Jack Clarke is another who has been watched closely in recent weeks. However, it is unlikely high-flying promotion-chasing Leeds will let the teenager leave any time soon.

(Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)

Tottenham are keeping their transfer targets close to their chest, as they usually do to avoid being gazumped by more financially powerful sides.

It is understood that they have not approached Barcelona about a move for Malcom. Spurs looked at the winger last season before moving for Lucas Moura and have not returned with interest for the young Brazilian who has struggled for appearances at the Catalan giants.

Pochettino himself does not believe that the club will make a new signing this month - a window in which Tottenham rarely operate in - and points to the fact that players are on their way back to fitness which will bolster his ranks again. However, he always admits that Spurs will look to improve their squad if they can.

It is likely that the club will only make a move this window if a late opportunity presents itself rather than pursue any targets at inflated prices who they are more likely to secure in the summer.

Keep up to date with the latest Tottenham Hotspur news, features and exclusives from football.london via our free WhatsApp service .

Text NEWS to 07776197989 and then add the number to your phone contacts book as spurs dot london (case sensitive, with spaces) to receive daily updates and breaking news from Alasdair Gold and the team on Spurs.

Your phone number won't be shared with any other members of the group. Click here for more information on the service.