Tottenham transfer window latest: Four Spurs’ stars could leave this January

Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele is set to leave the club, amid reports that Spurs are extremely keen to cash in on the Frenchman.

The news comes after Ndombele was loudly booed off by Spurs fans, as the midfielder slowly walked off as his side trailed to League One team Morecambe.

It has also since emerged that boss Antonio Conte is looking to make his squad considerably thinner in the current January transfer window, as he is looking to axe at least four first team players.

The news of the players Conte is reportedly looking to ship on, comes after Spurs’ second string squad struggled to beat league one side Morecambe.

Players such as Dele Alli, Matt Doherty and Ndombele were deployed as Conte looked to rest some key first team players, but Spurs were losing 1-0 and Conte had to call on Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Oliver Skipp to rescue the game.

Spurs eventually won the game 3-1, to keep their fading hopes of silverware alive this season.

Along with Ndombele, Conte is reportedly keen to get Dele, Doherty and Steven Bergwijn all moved on, to free up space but more importantly funds as Conte eyes his targets.

It appears to be another manager that Ndombele doesn’t see eye to eye with, and with the ruthless streak Conte possesses, it looks as if Ndombele’s journey with Spurs in nearing the end.

Ndombele’s clash with Mourinho

The ex-Lyon midfielder clashed with fomer manager Jose Mourinho, as the pair endured a love-hate relationship during the Portguese managers time at Spurs.

Mourinho was very critical of Ndombele’s effort - or should it be said the lack of effort - and openly berated Ndombele to the press in a way to get Ndombele to change himself.

In April 2021, Mourinho said criticised Ndombele for ‘never reaching the limit of effort’ and said that the skillful midfielder showed a noticeable lack of ambition.

Despite the open criticism, it only frustrated Mourinho so much because he saw the talent he possessed, and still currently does.

It was clear that deep down, that Mourinho cared. Only a couple of weeks into the first national lockdown in the England, Mourinho visited Ndombele, and the pair enjoyed a workout together.

Ndombele is a very naturally gifted footballer, his first touch and dribbling is great, but it’s always the lack of desire that has let him down in his Tottenham career.

It may have had the desired impact, as Ndombele admitted that the ‘war in his head’ the former Porto manager created had helped him.

Sadly, Mourinho was sacked as Spurs manager and Nuno Espiritio Santo’s reign was brief, Conte was brought in and is not one to constantly reassure players, and it looks as if he will just look to ship Ndombele one, instead of waiting for him to finally change his ways.

Spurs singned Ndombele from French giants Lyon, for a record fee of £55 million, and up to £8 million in add-ons.

Are Dele Alli, Matt Doherty and Steven Bergwijn heading for the exit?

As well as Ndombele, and already mentioned, there’s plans in place, reportedly, that will see Dele end his 7-year affiliation with the club, Doherty to be moved on after a brief tenure with the club and also Steven Bergwijn, who has never got going at Spurs.

Dele was sensational early on, he was unplayable at times under Mauricio Pochettino and once won the PFA Young Player of the Season award, there was even talk he could win the Balon d’Or one day. Sadly, his decline has been rapid, and he could be off.

With Doherty and Bergwijn, they never got going.

With Bergwijn, his £22 million move for PSV came with intrigue, and the Dutch winger probably did himself a disservice by scoring a wondergoal against Manchester City, because then the expectation was raised massively.

Doherty just hasn’t had a good spell at Spurs. He signed from Wolves for £12 million, and never got going.

Conte is reportedly a massive fan of Adama Traore, due to his ability to play wing-back and bomb forward, with Emerson Royal also providing cover.