Ange Postecoglou has opened up about Tottenham's January transfer window plans, with the Australian admitting he has held a number of meetings with technical director Johan Lange.
The winter window will open in just over a month and could spark a flurry of activity as clubs up and down the country look to improve their squads for the second half of the season. Spurs brought in Radu Dragusin from Genoa for £21.5million last January, while Timo Werner also arrived on loan from RB Leipzig.
Hugo Lloris left to join MLS side Los Angeles FC after 11 years in north London, while the likes of Eric Dier, Sergio Reguilon and Djed Spence joined sides on loan. Postecoglou admitted on Friday that he has spoken to Lange about potential deals to be done in the upcoming trading period, although a lot will depend on the state of the squad fitness wise come January 1.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Tottenham's clash against Fulham on Sunday, Postecoglou said: "We're always planning, planning for every scenario. A lot of it will depend on where we are as a squad at that time.
"Between now and then, it is only really [Cristian] Romero and [Micky] Van de Ven who will be back in that time frame, but Richy (Richarlison) will hopefully be back in the new year and we will just assess where we are squad wise but certainly, with Johan [Lange] I've already had a number of meetings for a strategy in January.
"I think last year we did a little bit of business which ended up helping us, but nothing concrete now because January is always tricky and it depends on where we are squad-wise."
Tottenham currently have Guglielmo Vicario out injured, with the Italian expected to be out for "months" after fracturing his ankle in the win over Manchester City last weekend. Postecoglou has full confidence in Fraser Forster, however, and earlier this week ruled out signing another stopped.
"That's not going to happen," he said. "I don't think signing a free agent now is going to help us. Fraser, I've known for a long time. He's such a strong character in the group and always ready to play."
Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are the other long-term absentees, while Micky van de Ven, Mikey Moore and Cristian Romero could make their returns in December.