Tottenham transfer notebook: Gallagher conditions, Jota hope & centre-back search

Tottenham Hotspur are mapping out their plans for the January transfer window with their thin squad reduced to the bare bones in recent times.

Spurs' fast start to the season was derailed by a string of major injuries to key players, while they are set to lose more starters to international duty next month.

Here is an overview of Tottenham's hopes and aims for the window ahead.

Conor Gallagher

Tottenham explored the signing of Conor Gallagher during the summer window when Chelsea were open to a sale. However, Spurs' inability to shift other players - such as midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - meant they could not raise the necessary funds to complete a deal.

90min understands while Tottenham's interest in Gallagher remains, the sale of a player like Hojbjerg would have to go through first, not least because they are hoping to strengthen in other areas first. Ange Postecoglou is also happy to hold onto the Dane until the end of the season.

Chelsea could sell Gallagher this month if a bid in the region of £50m comes in. Contract talks have not advanced recently - his current deal is up in 2025 - but the England international would prefer to stay at Stamford Bride and Mauricio Pochettino is desperate to keep hold of him.

Gallagher has been one of Chelsea's better performers so far this season and has captained the side in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

Jota

Jota previously worked under Postecoglou at Celtic and a reunion in north London is on the cards.

Sources have confirmed to 90min that Tottenham are confident of finding an agreement with Al Ittihad to take the winger on an initial loan with a purchase clause.

The 24-year-old was left out of Al Ittihad's squad for this season's Saudi Pro League but has been used in their Asian Champions League games.

Jota is eyeing a return to Europe just months after making the move to Saudi Arabia and a move to Postecoglou's Spurs is greatly appealing to him.

Centre-back shortlist

90min has long reported that Tottenham's top priority for the January window is to bring in a new centre-back.

Spurs' lack of depth in that area has been highlighted during the winter months. Micky van de Ven has not played since the start of November and is not due back until mid-January after suffering a hamstring injury, while Cristian Romero is now also sidelined for around a month having picked up a similar problem.

Postecoglou has had to rely on full-backs Ben Davies and Emerson Royal as well as the out-of-favour Eric Dier at times, and Tottenham's defensive resilience has suffered as a result.

90min reported earlier in December they were exploring a move for Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo, but though the France international is keen on a move, Spurs are now not as convinced the Ligue 1 side would be open to a deal on their terms.

Genoa's Radu Dragusin is also on Tottenham's radar, but completing a deal for the 21-year-old would not be as easy as has been made out in recent reports and by intermediaries.

Ben Godfrey, Tosin Adarabioyo, Lloyd Kelly and Sebastian Caceres are all being watched by Spurs, who are refusing to put all their eggs in one basket at this stage.

Striker search

90min understands Tottenham are not expected to look for strikers in January.

Spurs have recalled Dane Scarlett from his loan at Ipswich Town as Son Heung-min prepares to jet off to the Asian Cup with South Korea, while Richarlison is set to stay despite interest from the Saudi Pro League.

The Brazil forward has scored four goals since undergoing groin surgery in November and has spoken of his improved physicality since rectifying the long-standing issue.

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