Tottenham Hotspur are being reported as being about to offer Saints a swap deal to bring Victor Wanyama to White Hart Lane in the final week of the transfer window.

Saints statement that they will not be allowing any player to leave St Mary's in the January transfer window is about to be tested as Spurs mindful of reports in some quarters that Victor Wanyama is about to sign a new deal at Saints are about to get up to their old tricks again.

Various national media sources are suggesting that they might be about to offer Saints Andros Townsend in exchange for Wanyama, Townsend has barely played in the Premier League this season and with the Euros coming up is keen to get away and Spurs are keen to offload him.

Not so keen that they are willing to let him go at a fair price though and Newcastle United are said to have baulked when quoted a £14 million asking price recently.

So will Spurs be trying to get Wanyama on the cheap ?

The answer is almost certainly yes and £14 million for Wanyama would be cheap and it would suit Spurs to get rid of player who isn't in their plans and bring in one who most certainly would be at such a low price.

Therefore they will be looking to try and broker a straight swap deal rather than have to pay a further £6 million or so on top of sending Townsend to St Mary's, indeed it could be that this rumour is nothing more than a ploy by Spurs to unsettle the player leaving him open to a bid from them in the summer when his value will drop.

Times are troubled at Spurs, they are having to pay a lot of outlay out with regard to building their new stadium next door to White Hart Lane and they still have not sorted out where they will play whilst building work goes on, having to play at MK Dons would be disastrous financially as it would mean a big reduction in the capacity and limited income from match day catering and hospitality as well as having to pay to play there.

Also there is a feeling growing around the club that Mauricio Pochettino is under performing, at time of writing Spurs actually have one less point that they had two years ago under the Argentinian coaches predecessor Tim Sherwood and indeed this season sit only two points above the same total they had at this stage last season.

The jury is still out on Pochettino's ability to take the club any further forward than it has been in the past, this season's Premier League is the widest open for many a year and Daniel Levy and his board are a little concerned that so far this season Spurs have not been consistent enough to take advantage.

Pochettino himself will know that the next few months are crucial, if he fails to make the Champions League spot this season it could prove catastrophic for Spurs finances not to mention their chances of ever breaking into it again, especially in the next few years as teams around them increase capacity's and incomes at a time when Spurs own income will be reducing and its outgoings increasing.

Therefore the news of the bid for Wanyama could be nothing more than a media campaign from someone within the club to try and give their supporters the impression that all is well both on the pitch and financially.

But the reality is somewhat different and some Spurs supporters will be asking why the club is up to it's old tricks again when the season is so delicately poised, why muck around with a deal for Wanyama ? put the money on the table now, if it costs a few million more that will be a drop in the ocean compared to what they will lose should they fail to qualify for the Champions League, if they do not do that because they have failed to land a key player like Wanyama because they have once again spent too much time trying to do things on the cheap, then Spurs supporters might have a few questions to ask in May.

Photo: Action Images

Jesus_02 added 09:55 - Jan 26 Townsend...Good player Bad attitude? In my view Andros and Victor are both big game only players for different reasons. Townsend seems to have a bit of an attitude problem while to be honest Big Vic seems a bit flaky. I think he would like to act as professionally as Morgan did but I don't think its in his make up. Where as to Townsend Saints would be a stepping stone at best. Put bluntly I think if we did a swap we would be leaping out of the frying pan and into the fire

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SaintJez added 09:56 - Jan 26 It's just spurs being spurs. They really could do with getting a little bit of class. Wanyama is up there with the best in the league in that position. I see Ramires is set to go to China for £25m. That should be the starting point for any bids for Vic. I'm sure there's interest from Saints in Townsend but, despite having talent, he's far from a first team regular and has certainly had enough chances to nail down a spot. Is difficult to see him commanding a bigger fee than the £4m Leicester paid for Grey. Give us Aldeweireld and Townsend and then we'll listen.... (though it looks like Townsend to Newcastle is a done deal anyway)

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IWOZTHERE added 10:16 - Jan 26 If VW signs and proves his commitment, and the Mane rumours die down, we may be getting back to the 'togetherness' and team spirit we've known before. Even though I've kept on about selling Wanyama, I don't think I'd swap him for Townsend.
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SonicBoom added 10:35 - Jan 26 I can't agree with much in this article Nick. Firstly it depends what you read. some papers are saying Spurs and Arsenal may go head to head for Wanyama BUT they also say that neither club really need a DM right now. Secondly I would think that the majority of Spurs fans are absolutely delighted with Pochettino. They are getting results and playing decent football. They are extremely happy with Toby, Kane and Deli Ali. They are fourth and looking good. They may well only have one less point but the league is different this year and they are in a very good position. I can honestly say I haven't seen a single comment anywhere saying that the feeling within Spurs is that Pochettino is underachieving.

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Chazza36 added 10:53 - Jan 26 Dear oh dear! What a slanted, bigoted piece of rubbish. "Troubled times", " Pochetino is underperforming", " the jury is still out on Pochetino". Only in the mind of the twit that penned this exercise in bias. And to show the keen analytical mind that he also pisses, he adds that we are a point worse off than last season! Very true. But also 5 points behind the leaders and 5 clear of 5th spot. This bloke is either a bigot or a dimwit. Maybe both.

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SaintNick added 10:55 - Jan 26 Firstly, I have basically reported what the media reports are saying, I havent considered whether spurs or arsenal need a dm midfielder or not, so that part o my piece is accurate. Secondly I said that there is a feeling around the club that pochettino is underachieving, that is more in the boardroom than in the supporter base, I do quantify that by saying the season is delicately poised, what happens in the next couple of months will go a long way to deciding whether Pochettino has taken the club forward or has not, the benchmark is champions league qualification, your right the league is different this year, the fact that spurs have one less point than ast year is proof that they have not improved whilst the likes of Leicester have if Spurs dont take their chance this year they might no get another chance for a long time due to the ground move. You have read a comment that Pochettino is underachieving, you have read it here lol

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SaintNick added 10:58 - Jan 26 Good God Chazza you Spurs fans are very touchy aren't you, why bother wasting your time registering to post on a Southampton website if this is such rubbish
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perazi added 11:53 - Jan 26 Townsend has signed for Newcastle - and as for Poch underperforming; you have to be joking, they look nailed on for CL and are playing attractive Football with a youngish team.
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SaintNick added 12:11 - Jan 26 Townsend has not signed for Newcastle yet, the two clubs have agreed a fee which is still a long way from the player agreeing to go, although it could be nearer than usual in this case. For a club the size of Tottenham Pochettino has performed no better than his predecessors, given that they were sacked for achieving 5th or 6th then unless he finishes the season in 4th then he is still vunerable until he has achieved it . You say Spurs look nailed on ! They have been inconsistemt this season, on Saturday they took a step in that they moved clear into 4th, however if Utd had beaten us and Spurs lost to palace then they would have been 5th with West Ham breathing down their nexks not to mention Liverpool. All ifs and buts, but perhaps evidence to show they are a long way off being nailed on just yet although after the weekend they have a good platform

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fatmatletis7 added 12:22 - Jan 26 I'd swap our Mighty Kenyan for Dembele and Townsend.
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saintmark1976 added 12:38 - Jan 26 Townsend valued at £14 million, have a holiday Spurs. Is this the same Townsend who can not get close to a place in the Spurs first team? If desperate relegation contenders Newcastle do not want him at £14 million it says it all really. Why on earth would anybody think that he would be an asset to us?
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bstokesaint added 12:40 - Jan 26 Without wanting to sound petty I wouldn't take any cast-offs from Spurs. As much as they consider themselves a far bigger club than Southampton, largely as history dictates this to be true, in the modern day we are competing on a fairly level keel. We certainly don't need to accept below par offers on any of our players and should just flat out refuse to do any business with them if they continue to use below-the-belt tactics to force moves. At least Liverpool offer stupid money for players just a bit better than average. It will be interesting to see how Leicester deal with the recent links to their players from Spurs.

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LesVivian added 12:45 - Jan 26 I'd swap him right now for Dembele. Dembele ran the match at St Mary's recently, and is one of the best in the country in his position!
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schatfield added 13:29 - Jan 26 agree, i would swap him right now for Dembele. Class player. Shame it will never happen though, they have about 5 quality players in Wanyamas position. Townsend has gone to the Toon for 12M it very much looks like and thats that.
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saintjeff52 added 13:42 - Jan 26 'That Bloke that we used to know' is doing rather well at Spurs. The way the top teams in the League are underperforming, as much as it hurts to say so, Spurs are 'Dark Horses' for the Title. The injury to Vertonghen might rock the boat though, but I think Top 4 at minimum is there for the taking. Personally, I loathe Levy, and the way Spurs conduct their business. I'm hoping that he/they fall flat on their faces in their new ground project. I see that Levy has just mugged off Newcastle for £12m for Townsend, but that won't stop him unsettling players from other Clubs. We, as a Club, should have NO dealings with Spurs in any shape or form. They are the Pariahs of the Premier League.

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SaintBrock added 14:22 - Jan 26 NOBODY IS LEAVING IN THE TRANSFER WINDOW, NICK! GET USED TO IT.
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BoondockSaint added 14:32 - Jan 26 I would rather VW go to Spurs and we pay them to never send Townsend to us! Mike Ashley may have just booked a ticket to the Championship-money wasted on a Spurs castoff
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dirk_doone added 15:01 - Jan 26 Wanyama is one of the best young defensive midfielders in the Premier League with a long career ahead of him. Townsend showed occasional flashes of skill more than 2 years ago, but his career is now well in decline, possibly because of personal issues. Any team which was fool enough to spend money ob him would be VERY lucky to get 2 or 3 decent 90 minute performances per year out of him. We've just offloaded Gaston. We certainly don't want another one like him. I can see a desperate relegation-threatened side taking him and sealing their fate.

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pintsizedsaint added 16:40 - Jan 26 For once Nick, I can't agree with you on the Potttychino view. By all accounts Spurs fans are very happy with their team's performance and I have to say (through gritted teeth) that they are looking very good value for a CL spot this year. He's done a good job and his stock as a manager is rising quite steadily - although I do think he's once again been fortunate in that he inherited a largely decent squad that needed a bit of direction (and fitness) and the discarding of 1-2 under-performers. That's probably the only negative for Spurs now - that a bigger club might try and tempt him away. Good luck to him and Spurs though - we might not get on with them, but it breaks up the monopoly (and monotony) of the usual 'big 4'. Still - you managed to get an irate Spurs fan to comment on here! They are very touchy aren't they?! Just goes to show that, despite saying they don't care about lesser teams like Saints, Spurs fans are always monitoring us...

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RogerToye added 17:59 - Jan 26 Shall Saints let Victorr Wanyama go on a free at the end of his contract? or get him to continue to sharpen up, maybe he won't sign another deal if his agent will have anything to do with it. What does Victor really want ? I feel watching their performances that his and Mane's non show early part of the season could have a large impact on defining our season. Mane is class when he stays on his feet. but it is clear transfer window time, agents will stir things up and focus can dwindle. We are out of Europe and no Cups.. mid table maybe Ron was right it will be difficult to emulate last seasons achievements no matter who is had there head turned. But hope kindles January has been rather exceptional, apart from cup exit. Seems that some turn up at the big shopping window games. Harsh maybe I seem to be a little distracted now watching their performance's and seeing their faults that are not really getting ironed out. Like sideways football and being blind to the ball when not in possession or clumsy in the tackle. VW's strength has been without doubt clearances blocks tackles and recoveries, plus red cards. no assists maybe he might make a good central defender. he does a job but then i see Clasie (getting up to speed) and Romeu doing the same as Morgan and Victor with a bit more football going forward. But has someone said maybe its not in his or others like him, make up to change or do certain things requiring cultural shift in attitude. However now the full side is back with no place guaranteed ? It has shaken the team up we can match anyone keeping the mistakes out. Could argue all this, when Clyne went would his retention helped this season (maybe where Yoshida was concerned) to let him go at the end and lose 12mill. he hasn't really done much at pool, but be as steady as he was here. I like Cedric needs to beef up alittle but his link up play has been great with Mane on occasions and he his on Par with Clyne on recoveries but has more FF points with fewer games and the same clean sheets. So new people in, can do similar job and improve the depth and progress of the squad. I remember when Wayne bridge left for big bucks and Graham Le Saux came in who was as good and gave us a great service till Gareth Bale come on the scene. One of the virtues of A saint is to have patience and be shrewd when required I would sell him end of season to highest bidder lest he signs a new deal

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SaintBrock added 18:37 - Jan 26 I couldn't quite follow that Roger, tried again.. nope! I give up?
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abingdonsaint added 19:29 - Jan 26 Sorry Nick, but even in hindsight with Townsend going to Newcastle, this article is complete tosh! Koeman had already said on umpteen occasions that no one will be sold in January, and I tend to believe him. Especially not to Spurs! You also really need to let your Poch obsession go now! It's history, we have Koeman, life goes on. As you may remember, I rate Poch very highly and was sorry to see him go. I said at the time he would do very well at Spurs, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if they win the league this season (unfortunately!). The way he left was not ideal, but to continually suggest he's not an excellent manager is nonsense I'm afraid! Finally, enjoy your stuff, but makes me laugh when you report all sorts of random rumours like this almost as fact, whereas on Saturday the Charlie Austin singing was only 'rumoured' when it was nailed on!

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abingdonsaint added 19:31 - Jan 26 PS......I know he did sing, but I meant signing!
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SaintNick added 21:00 - Jan 26 abingdon saint, I dont report rumours as fact, I made it clear that it was media reports suggesting Spurs are about to make a bid, yes Saints have said that they are going to sell no one, but that doesnt mean other clubs wont bid. Sometimes people want to hear no evil and see no evil, this is an article more about the way people do business. Im sorry you dont like my view on Poch, but at the moment he has done no better than any of his predecessors, indeed two years ago Tim Sherwood had more points, 5th or 6th is par for a spurs manager, with the resources and the time Pochettino has had this is a crunch few months for him

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abingdonsaint added 13:19 - Jan 27 The Spurs fans I know would not agree that Poch has done no better than his predecessors Nick, and I'm not sure simply comparing points totals, especially in an unpredictable season like this, is the most reliable indicator. Spurs are in the Champions League places, and are playing vibrant football with a young team. That's what he does! Still, all about opinions......

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