Harry Redknapp is planning a swoop for Newcastle's Demba Ba, but the Spurs boss will wait until the summer before making his move.
Ba has a £7million release clause in his Newcastle contract and his fine form over the course of the campaign to date has alerted a number of clubs from across Europe, including Spurs.
The Senegal striker, who has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season, is keen to stay in the Premier League and Spurs are thought to be leading the race for his signature in the summer, although Liverpool are also keen on the former West Ham striker.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is desperate to keep his key men in January, after seeing Andy Carroll join Liverpool last season.
Owner Mike Ashley sanctioned Carroll's sale, and Pardew admits he is concerned a similar situation could arise this season.
"I'm scarred by it from last year," Pardew told the Sunday Mirror.
"I still have a fear. I'm never going to lose that because I just genuinely didn't believe Andy Carroll was going to go on that last day until I got the phone call in the morning.
"It just goes to show you have got to be ready."
However, while Pardew may be worried about keeping hold of his key men the Newcastle boss is also hopeful he could see his squad strengthened further before the window slams shut on Tuesday, following the £10million arrival of striker Papiss Demba Cisse earlier this month.
He added: "I will still have my phone on during the last day hoping I get the right sort of call rather than the wrong sort of call - that I'm getting a player in rather than losing a player.
"We've got a great opportunity in this second half of the season. It would be a real big bonus to get to the end of the window and not lose anyone."