Joe Rodon: Tottenham Hotspur target trains with Swansea City
Tottenham ultimately decided against paying the £45million Inter Milan wanted for Milan Skriniar, but they could still find a bargain option with two ideal candidates on the free agent market. Jose Mourinho had a clear plan heading into the transfer market of the types of players he wanted.
Business was slow at first, like most clubs, although deals were soon agreed for Matt Doherty and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Joe Hart was also signed as back-up to Hugo Lloris following the departure of Michel Vorm.
Then Tottenham took some people by surprise with their double Real Madrid swoop.
Sergio Reguilon was being strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, but Spurs swooped in to complete a deal for the highly-rated Spanish full-back.
Tottenham could enter the free agent market (Image: GETTY)
At the same time, Daniel Levy was working on bringing Gareth Bale back to the club on a loan deal with a move eventually being agreed.
Next on Mourinho's wishlist was signing a striker to provide cover for Harry Kane and he finally got his man with Carlos Vinicius joining on a season-long loan.
All the while, Tottenham had continually been looking to sign a centre-back with Skriniar emerging as their top target.
Reports suggested the defender was keen on a move to north London but Inter's asking price ultimately proved too costly for Tottenham.
Spurs still have the domestic market available to them and they're reportedly considering a move for Swansea's Joe Rodon.
But while Tottenham have spent big money on Reguilon while paying a large portion of Bale's wages, Levy has often proven to be shrewd in the transfer market.
And there are plenty of strong options still available as free agents.
Two players stand out for Spurs more than most with Ezequiel Garay arguably the best currently available.
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Tottenham are looking to sign a centre-back still (Image: DX)