Levy told to splash £70m on Tottenham signing star player in January

Tottenham Hotspur would need to splash out a sum of around £60-70million to improve their squad in the January transfer window, according to Ian Darke.

The TV commentator, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, does not believe Daniel Levy would sanction such a move even if a suitable player becomes available, with Spurs in freefall at present.

Darke cited Dimitar Berbatov, who left the Lilywhites for Manchester United on deadline day in the summer of 2008, as an example of a player who helped take a great team to an even further level.

"I don't really know who can be obtainable as I'm cynical about the January transfer window. You'd have to spend about £60-70million to get anyone of real note in to change the squad and I can't see Tottenham doing that. It'll probably be the odd one in and out," Darke explained.

"What you're usually dealing with are players not in favour at their clubs. It's such a difficult market in January so I don't think you're going to see anything like a Berbatov or a deal like that.

"There's no point going into some utopian world and naming a name, as they do have a talented squad, but it's just such a tricky transfer window."

Tottenham on the lookout in January

Following a run of form which has yielded just one win in their last seven, Tottenham are in danger of severely damaging their season and could see the upcoming market as a viable opportunity to turn things around.

The club have recently been linked with Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich [Lothar Matthaus via Sport Bild, 27 November] though this is now unlikely, while Juventus star Nicolo Fagioli is a reported target [Mirko di Natale, 3 December].

Jamie Gittens, currently lighting up the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, has attracted the watchful eye of a host of Premier League clubs including Tottenham, though Dortmund have sought to fend off the interest with an £83m price tag [Florian Plettenberg, 1 December].

In other Tottenham news, Sergio Reguilon could be nearing the end of his slow-burning chapter at Spurs.

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