By Wayne Veysey

20th Nov, 2020 | 10:12am

Sources: Tottenham January signing plan revealed, £42m star among trio facing exit

Tottenham are planning to use the January window to strengthen their squad despite signing seven senior stars over the summer.

Jose Mourinho and the Spurs recruitment team have yet to come up with a definitive plan or a target list.

But it is possible that a new centre-back could be on the radar just over a month after the capture of Joe Rodon from Swansea City.

A Tottenham source has told Football Insider that the January plan depends on the events of the next six to eight weeks, and hope the team shape up following a immensely promising start to the campaign.

Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier emerged as the first choice centre-back partnership in a four-man defence before the international break.

But there is concern among Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff about the lack of pace of the duo, especially against the most mobile and pacy opposition forwards.

Davinson Sanchez is the fastest of the senior Tottenham defenders but he was axed completely from the matchday squad for the three Premier League matches before the international break.

Rodon was the back-up centre-back on the bench for each of those matches, while Ben Davies can also fill in in the middle of the defence.

Fit-again Japhet Tangana offers an alternative option but Mourinho historically prefers proven players to developing those learning their trade.

Speculation is growing that Sanchez, who has been a regular starter since joining from Ajax in the summer of 2017 for a then club-record fee rising up to £42million, is not rated that highly by Mourinho and could be sold.

A permanent January move would appear unlikely at this stage, but a loan cannot be ruled out, especially if a replacement is lined up.

Spurs’ mid-season spending is also expected to depend upon the potential exits, permanently, or temporarily, of big earners.

The most likely to leave are Dele Alli, who has dropped to the fringes of the first team, and Danny Rose, who has not been given a squad number and all but frozen out completely.

In other news, Joe Lewis has given the green light for “mammoth” Tottenham deal as contract set to be signed before January window opens.