The 1st of January and the first significant move of the transfer window appears to have already been made. Reports on Tuesday suggested that Tottenham Hotspur have already made contact with FC Schalke 04 midfielder Lewis Holtby, after the Germany international confirmed he is going to leave the Bundesliga side this summer.
The youngster is out of contract at the end of the season, sparking somewhat of a scramble for his signature with a number of Europe’s heavyweights believed to be tracking Holtby after his impressive performances for Schalke this year.
Nevertheless, speculation is suggesting that Spurs have won the race for his signature. Oliver Kay of the Times reported that the north London side are close to agreeing a pre-contract with the 22-year-old that will see him move to White Hart Lane ready for the 2013/14 campaign.
If Spurs have indeed won the race to sign Holtby, it will be a major coup for Andre Villas-Boas’ side. With the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich believed to have to shown an interest in the attacking midfielder, his arrival would bolster the attacking ranks available to the 35-year-old.
He has really begun to showcase his capabilities as a player this season and his loss will be massively felt by Schalke, regardless of Julian Draxler also available to the Bundesliga giants.