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Thomas Frank and Tottenham must resolve the futures of four Spurs stars ahead of January
Tottenham are likely to be very busy in the January transfer window as Thomas Frank aims to add to his squad for the second half of the season.
Injuries have plagued Spurs' campaign so far, with a number of key players not even featuring as of yet. Plans are likely already in place for the winter window but as well as signing new recruits, the club must take a look at the contract situations of a handful of players.
One star who looks set for an exit either in January or the summer is Yves Bissouma. The midfielder underwent surgery in October after he damaged ankle ligaments in Mali's 4-1 World Cup qualification win over Madagascar.
The 29-year-old has not played for Spurs this season and was even close to joining Fenerbahce in the summer transfer window. Bissouma's contract is due to expire in June, although Spurs do have a one-year extension option they can trigger to protect the player's value, should they wish.
The player is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Mali and Spurs may hope the former Brighton man plays well in the competition, which may entice clubs to move for the midfielder. Considering Bissouma has no future at Tottenham under Frank, getting a fee for him in January would be the dream scenario.
Ben Davies is another whose contract is set to expire next summer. The Welshman has made just two appearances under Frank this campaign, playing 53 minutes of action in total. The 32-year-old has missed a large chunk of the season due to a hamstring strain, though, but has continued to play for Wales when fit.
The defender's contract was due to expire in June earlier this year but Spurs exercised the option to extend it by a further year. While he is Spurs' longest-serving player, having joined from Swansea City in 2014, it may well be his last handful of months in north London as he really should be playing on a regular basis. It may well be that Davies leaves the club in January, should a side come in for him.
As well as Bissouma and Davies, Tottenham will also have the futures of Joao Palhinha and Randal Kolo Muani to sort out. Palhinha joined on loan from Bayern Munich in August and has been a mainstay in Frank's midfield so far, making 25 appearances and even contributing with four goals.
The club have the option to make the move permanent next summer for €30million (£26.2million) and given his impact on the side, all signs at the minute point towards this happening.
Kolo Muani, meanwhile, is on loan from Paris Saint-Germain but the 27-year-old has struggled to make the desired impact so far. In 16 appearances for Tottenham, the forward has scored two goals and contributed with two assists.
No buy option was included in the deal and Tottenham will have to decide at some point whether or not they want to make an offer for the Frenchman.
It all points towards a busy January for Spurs, with potential incomings and exits on the agenda, as well as sorting a few contract situations out in the background.
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