Tottenham Hotspur transfer news: Mauricio Pochettino targets players familiar with English football

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are looking to sign up players from the domestic market in the January transfer window. Currently fourth in the league after 17 matches, the north London club are eyeing additions in order to seal a place in next season's Champions League.

The former Southampton manager believes bringing in a player who is not familiar with English football might not have an instant impact. He is even open to the idea of signing players from the lower division in England as the White Hart Lane club looks for talent in the transfer window opening next month.

"Always it is difficult to bring in players from outside [England]," Sky Sports quoted Pochettino as saying. "For them to adapt in the Premier League, to the culture, the language – it is difficult to bring in players from outside. You need to take the right profile."

"I prefer to take players from England first. If we have the option to take players from here, I prefer it – from the Premier League, or the Championship or League One."

"It is not easy, the transfer window now is not easy. You need one specific player and you can find this player but if not, it is better not to take any decision and work hard with the players you have and wait for the next transfer window.

"We track all different places, different positions because it is our job to try to be aware of what is happening in the market. This does not mean we will sign some players. It means only that you are aware and you track those players for the next transfer window in the summer."

Clinton Njie has undergone surgery after suffering a knee ligament injury and is set to be on the sidelines for the next three months, according to Sky Sports. This leaves Pochettino with England international Harry Kane as the only recognised striker in the squad.

West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino is a target for Tottenham in the mid-season transfer window. Pochettino was keen on signing him in the summer, but their multiple bids were turned down by the Potters due to the payment structure. The Telegraph reports the Argentine manager will make approach Berahino in January as Tottenham looks to bolster their striker force in the second half of the season.