Talks begin for German striker

With Spurs limping towards the end of the season with a group of mentally shot and tired players, new recruits are desperately needed next season.



Team selection suggests there are many players who are simply not in future plans and thus to sell them we can't afford to risk them picking up an injury that may jeopardise their departure.

Mauricio Pochettino has said that the first 7 weeks of pre-season will be important for developing his philosophies at White Hart Lane and to that end Spurs have to look a early signings, not something that happens often.

It has been reported that FC Koln defender Kevin Wimmer is close to signing for Tottenham but according to Borussia Monchengladbach players, Tottenham may miss out on another signing from the Bundesliga.  The player in question is 27-year-old striker Max Kruse, who they say, has already agreed to join Wolfsburg. Midfielder Granit Xhaka was asked if Kruse was leaving and confirmed to Bild he was.

"Yes, that's right. There was already lots of speculation. Max has today finally confirmed that he is leaving Borussia. It is always bitter and disappointing when a player is leaving us. Max is a very interesting striker. Too bad for us, bad for the club."

Winger Patrick Herrmann was also asked and told German paper Bild it is normal for players to leave.

"In football by now it is normal that a player leaves the club. Even if Max is very important to us. But the club is still determined in the summer to present some new additions."

The news has not stopped Tottenham opening talks with Borussia Mönchengladbach over the £9 million striker. The same German paper report Tottenham in ‘concrete discussions’ over a summer transfer.

His £48,000-a-week salary is well within budget and his price is set by his buyout clause. Kruse, who stands 1.80m (5ft 10in) tall. has scored 10 goals with 8 assists in 29 Bundesliga games this season.