Spurs' January Transfer Target is Bundesliga Striker - Report

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing a January move for Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The Dutchman has only eight months left on his current deal with the Bundesliga outfit and has stalled negotiations regarding a fresh contract, meaning he will be free to sign a pre-agreement with a club outside Germany in January.

Schalke are understandably keen to extend Huntelaar's contract but, according to The Independent, they may be willing to sell the 29-year-old for as little as £7m if a new deal cannot be agreed before the winter transfer window opens.

Huntelaar, who signed for Schalke in 2010 from AC Milan for a fee around £10m, scored 48 goals from 47 appearances in all competitions for the Miners last season. The striker has continued his form this term as well and netted eight times already, including two in as many games against Arsenal in the Champions League to guide Schalke to the top of Group B.

The Holland international is older than the age-bracket of players Spurs usually go for, as chairman Daniel Levy gives considerable thought to the re-sale value of signings. However, the north Londoners have only Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor left in their ranks as recognised strikers at the moment and the latter will be absent for up to a month in January, as he has to report for national duty with Togo in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Huntelaar as Brendan Rodgers looks to relieve the goal-scoring burden on Luis Suarez.

Sigurdsson: Early Strike Key against Maribor

Meanwhile, midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson feels Tottenham would benefit greatly from an early goal against NK Maribor in the midweek Euorpa League tie at White Hart Lane.

"It would be ideal if we get an early goal. That means Maribor can't just sit there and defend and it would open the game up. That would also get the crowd right behind us and it will be a great atmosphere. That's important for us," the Spurs website quoted the Iceland international as saying.