Tottenham transfer news: Mauricio Pochettino set to begin January clear-out following Chelsea victory

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly set to begin his January clear-out of the squad following their 5-3 thrashing of Chelsea on New Year's Day.

According to the Mirror, the Argentine is ready to offload players who have failed to impress him and have consistently struggled to nail down a first-team place thus far in the season.

Spurs surprised everybody with a top quality performance against the league leaders and it showed that the new manager's vision is taking shape and he is now looking to start the overhaul of his squad to suit his style.

The report claims that Paulinho, Roberto Soldado, Vlad Chiriches, Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend could leave the north London club during the ongoing January transfer window.

Brazilian Paulinho, who was only bought last summer for a reported £17m, could be the first casualty, with plenty of clubs in his homeland willing to take the player either permanently or on loan.

Cruzeiro sporting director Alexandre Mattos had admitted that several clubs in Brazil had been made aware of the midfielder's availability.

"The scenario could work with a loan – agents have already put this to several clubs in Brazil, in fact," Mattos said, as quoted by the Mirror.

The player had also indicated earlier in the summer that he is willing to move away from the club to get regular game time.

It is believed that Serie A giants AC Milan are interested in signing the Spanish striker, who has struggled for form and goals following his £26m arrival last summer.

Townsend, despite scoring for Spurs against Chelsea, is said to be available for transfer with Newcastle United and Sunderland keen to take him on loan for the rest of the season.

Another English player, Lennon, is available for outsight sale, if interested clubs meet the White Hart Lane outfit's asking price of £7m, and there are a couple of Premier League clubs, like Stoke City and Southampton, which are interested in signing him.