The reason Tottenham did not sign a striker in January as Daniel Levy praises £27m transfer

Tottenham Hotspur did not bring in a striker during the January transfer window.

But not for the lack of trying, chairman Daniel Levy has confirmed.

Following the departure of Fernando Llorente at the end of his contract last summer, the Lilywhites were left rather short in the central striking department before the season got underway.

Harry Kane started the campaign as the first-choice centre-forward with Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura capable of deputising when he needed a break.

However, the England striker picked up a serious hamstring injury during the New Year's Day loss away at Southampton which ruled him out of action for three months and prompted speculation that Spurs would dip into the market to bring in cover.

Despite links to the likes of Krzysztof Piątek and William Jose there was to be no new out and out striker arriving in north London before the winter transfer window slammed shut.

And at a meeting with Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust last week , Levy admitted that whilst they did attempt to sign a centre-forward in January, bringing in Steven Bergwijn for £27m helped to soften the blow.

Levy is reported to have said that "there are lots of attacking players in the squad".

"The club was disappointed not to be able to bring in another striker but pleased they were able to bring in another attacking player in the recent window."

That turned into questions about Spurs' player recruitment.

"Levy explained that the process is unchanged. The Chief Scout – Steve Hitchen; the Head Coach - Jose Mourinho; the Chairman – DL; the Head of the Academy - John McDermott (if it concerned a youth player) along with the Head of Football Administration – Rebecca Caplehorn – were involved in the process.

"Hitchen and Mourinho would discuss what areas needed strengthening and who might be an option, considering age, salary expectations, nationality, language etc.

"The list would be narrowed down and then presented to Levy.

"The list would be put in order and they’d then see what was possible.

"Levy also stressed how difficult it was to do a transfer both in and out, especially considering that the liquidity in the market has decreased."