Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham are looking at striker targets with a view to bringing in back-up for Harry Kane during the January transfer window.

Spurs tried and failed to sign Saido Berahino from West Bromwich Albion – who are Tottenham’s opponents on Saturday – in the summer.

And, with Kane starting 18 of the Lilywhites’ 20 games in all competitions so far this season, head coach Pochettino concedes it is a position where the squad could be strengthened.

“We have offensive players that can play like Harry,” he said. “There is Sonny [Heung-Min Son] or [Nacer] Chadli or Clinton [Njie] – they can play like a striker.

“But maybe it’s true. I recognise they are not a specific striker so maybe we work to try to find [a player with] that profile that we can add in the next transfer window or in the summer to try to help the team.

“We follow players now, but it is very difficult. What is most important is that we do not rock the balance of the team. It is important to be very clinical with the player that we choose.

“For me, always you want to find a striker that scores a lot of goals and who has a good physical condition – someone with good characteristics who can press, work hard and is a nice guy too.”

Asked whether Spurs might attempt to sign Berahino again next month, Pochettino said: “We never speak in public about another club’s player. We need to show respect. Maybe we are interested in different players – that is our job.”

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