Exclusive: Giroud claim dropped by pundit in new twist to Spurs striker hunt

Paul Robinson has urged Tottenham to move swiftly to sign a striker before the window closes on 5 October.

The former White Hart Lane number one, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, rues Spurs missing out on a deal for Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud in January and insisted he would still be an ideal signing.

The Lilywhites have not had a recognised backup for Harry Kane since Fernando Llorente departed for Napoli 12 months ago.

In a new twist, Football Insider revealed yesterday that the club are working to sign a marquee striker to provide backup for Kane with Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke emerging as a shock target.

It comes after moves for Alexander Sorloth – who joined RB Leipzig – and Napoli’s Arkadiusz Milik collapsed earlier in the window.

When asked by Football Insider if he was concerned by the club's failure to sign a new centre-forward, Robinson said: "They are in desperate need of a striker.

"This is now the third transfer window that they have tried to sign a backup for Harry Kane. It is over a year now and they have still not replaced Llorente or got some kind of backup. We all know that Spurs leave their business to the last minute but this needs to be done.

"I was so disappointed that they missed out on Giroud in January, that would have been a great signing for them.

"It is a position that Spurs need and they are actively looking I would like to see somebody of that (Giroud) ilk come in sooner rather than later."

Spurs recognised the need to sign a senior centre-forward before the window shuts having suffered a striker crisis earlier this year after injuries to Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

Jose Mourinho confirmed that Son faces another spell on the sidelines after he injured his hamstring in the 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on Sunday.

In other Tottenham news, ex-Spur is left bouncing as club close in on "excellent" defensive signing.