It is a huge week for Antonio Conte and Tottenham with the January transfer deadline edging ever closer.
Yet to bring in a new signing so far this month despite links with a number of players, Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy now have seven days left to complete any remaining business before the next Monday's deadline.
It isn't just incomings on the agenda at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, however, as a number of current Tottenham players could also be heading for the exit door before the month is out.
As the vast majority of movement in the January market comes in the final week of the transfer window, Tottenham fans will be keeping a very close eye on what happens over the coming days in N17.
So, what is the current state of play at Tottenham as we enter the final week of the January transfer window? football.london takes a look.
Incomings
Tottenham fans are absolutely desperate to see fresh faces come in through the door as the club look to take the next steps in their much-needed squad rebuild.
Conte finished evaluating his Tottenham squad at the end of last month and presented his finding to Levy, Paratici and Steve Hitchen, with three key positions that need strengthening highlighted.
A new right wing-back, central midfielder and striker are seen as the three priority positions.
Spurs do also want to sign a new left-sided centre-back but that looks set to wait until the summer unless potential outgoings in defence this month force them into action.
In terms of the player to help solve the new right wing-back spot, Adama Traore looks set to be that man after previous talk of a move to the capital back in the summer.
As reported by football.london last week, talks have been continuing between the two clubs and there is a confidence that the deal will eventually be concluded for Traore, who is believed to be keen on a move to Tottenham.
The player did appear to be saying his goodbyes after Wolves' game against Brentford on Saturday, thus hinting that a move to Tottenham could soon come to fruition.
In central midfield, Franck Kessie is a player Tottenham have looked at signing but what complicates matters is his current participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ivory Coast are in Round of 16 action against Egypt on Wednesday and the AC Milan star will be away until Sunday, February 6 if his country go all the way in the competition.
While a January move would be appealing to his club this month as there is the real prospect of him leaving for nothing at the end of June due to his contract status, there is a belief that the player would prefer to wait until the summer to try and win the Serie A title with his club and also then maximise the money he would make out of any deal.
Staying in Italy, football.london understands that Paratici is a huge admirer of Juventus' versatile midfielder Weston McKennie.
Signing him for the Bianconeri from Schalke in 2020, a move for the United States international would also be difficult this month as Massimiliano Allegri isn't keen on losing his player midway through the campaign.
However, Paratici is understood to have spoken to the player's representatives about a potential move.
Sofyan Amrabat is another midfielder currently playing in Italy who has been linked with a switch to Tottenham.
The holding midfielder has played a bit-part role for Fiorentina this season, starting only one of his 11 Serie A appearances, and his agency, ICM Stellar Sports, are believed to be looking for potential new clubs for him this month.
AC Milan are also believed to be considering a January move for the Moroccan international.
Georginio Wijnaldum has also been suggested as a potential makeweight in any deal for Tanguy Ndombele if the Frenchman heads to Paris Saint-Germain.
The former Liverpool midfielder has not featured regularly for Mauricio Pochettino's side this term and the 31-year-old has been mentioned in regards to a Premier League return.
The player's age does not mark him out as the typical profile for a Tottenham signing, while his big wages in the French capital would be more than a number in the current Spurs squad.
With Ndombele, Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso all potential outgoings this month, there will be a need for a creative midfielder but it remains to be seen if Spurs will make their move in this area of the pitch.
Finally, Tottenham's failure to bring in a new striker back in the summer means that this is still a priority position for the club.
Paratici's ideal signing is Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic but Spurs may have missed their chance to sign the Serbian after holding talks with the Italian side ahead of the 2021/22 season.
The hotshot is not believed to be keen on leaving mid-season and he will have a number of Europe's top clubs after his services in the summer.
As it will be incredibly tricky to find their long-term solution with only seven days left in the transfer window, Spurs may instead have to look at short-term options before looking to solve the problem for good in the summer.
Outgoings
It could be a very busy week on the cards in terms of outgoings at Tottenham.
Fans will now be taking a very close look at what happens in the central attacking midfield position as Conte and Paratici could be set to make big changes with Alli, Lo Celso and Ndombele potentially on their way from N17.
With Ndombele not involved in a matchday squad for Tottenham since he was hooked 20 minutes from the end against Morecambe a fortnight ago, both Alli and Lo Celso were shock exclusions for Sunday's game against Chelsea.
The absence of the trio pretty much confirmed that they are all on Conte's exit list as he stamps his mark on the club.
Amid talk of a summer exit after barely featuring under Jose Mourinho, Alli remained at Tottenham and forced his way into Nuno Espirito Santo's side before again losing his place in the XI.
The 25-year-old has struggled for minutes and needs to move on for the sake of his career, with both Everton and Newcastle United believed to be interested in his services.
A return to France and a possible reunion with former Spurs boss Pochettino could also be on the cards for Ndombele.
It remains to be seen whether a move can be agreed on, with both Tottenham and the player likely to have to make compromises if a deal is to go through.
Fellow 2019 summer arrival Lo Celso's time at Tottenham could also be coming to an end this week after such a frustrating spell at the club through injury.
Coming to the attention of the club in the 2018/19 season after excelling for La Liga side Real Betis, football.london understands that their city rivals Sevilla are keen on bringing the Argentina international back to Spain.
In terms of defence, both Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga have been garnering interest from clubs at home and abroad.
The latter may have featured regularly in defence for Tottenham over the past few weeks but the return of Cristian Romero from injury could soon limit his playing time.
Italian giants AC Milan have been linked with a loan move for Tanganga as he looks to feature regularly.
In the case of Rodon, who could either leave on loan or permanently, the player is believed to be only interested in moving somewhere he will start matches regularly.
Matt Doherty has also been tipped to head for the exit door as his limited playing time will only be further reduced if Spurs manage to finalise a deal for his former Wolves teammate Traore.
Steven Bergwijn was also another player mentioned in regards to a January exit after Ajax had a £15m bid rejected for the Dutch international.
Conte claimed a fortnight ago that he did not want to lose his player and that he can count on him, with Bergwijn's heroics away at Leicester City proving that point as he helped turned one point into three in the final minute of stoppage time.
The final week of the transfer window should also see some of the club's U23 players move on as they look to pick up some valuable experience in a first-team environment.
Jack Clarke needs to depart after electing to stay in the summer and fight for his place, while a temporary move for Harvey White may possibly depend on Conte's thinking and the midfield numbers after the youngster took his place on the bench against Chelsea.
Players such as Marcel Lavinier, Tobi Omole and Malachi Fagan-Walcott would also benefit from a loan move if the opportunity arises.
With Kion Etete linking up with Cheltenham Town after Spurs recalled him from Northampton Town to move him to a club in a higher division, the same looks set to happen to Jamie Bowden after he returned to Spurs early from a successful loan at League Two basement boys Oldham Athletic.
