Johan Lange explains lack of Tottenham signings in January transfer window | OneFootball

Spurs failed to react to an ever-worsening injury crisis after two early deals

That lack of business came despite the club being hit by yet another injury crisis.

Spurs' absentee list is well into double figures and captain Cristian Romero labelled the number of senior players currently available as "disgraceful" minutes after the transfer window shut.

There was simply not many available players across the whole market place in January

Johan Lange

He pointed to the injury problems and the increased number of European fixtures as reasons for the club being reluctant to do business.

"Not only us but a number of clubs would say they have too many injuries," Lange said.

"That meant there was simply not many available players across the whole market place in January."

Although Thomas Frank is facing real injury issues, Spurs were reluctant to rush into a market that they believed was lacking in players ready to immediately impact the squad.

"When we went into January we didn't anticipate that we'd have seven injuries during the month of January," Lange said.

"That of course changes things during the course of the window. It's very important, even though it's highly frustrating with all the injuries, that you remain disciplined.

"The players are coming back and if you then go in and make a stress purchase of any football players, the immediate feeling it gives you is nice, but of course there's no point in signing players that will not help us in the short-term, medium-term or even long-term."

Antoine Semenyo was a target, but joined Man City

AFP via Getty Images

Frank revealed in a press conference that Spurs attempted to sign Antoine Semenyo, who decided instead to join Manchester City.

Lange confirmed the club did try to make significant signings, even though he emphasised the need to comply with financial fair play rules.

"Even though our financial situation under the rules is better than most clubs, and we have owners that are very willing to invest, then of course it is important that we are under those rules," he said.

"It is important that we sign the right players. Thomas has been quite public around a couple of players that we did try to bring in this window.

"It was definitely not because of a lack of willingness for the club to make the investment to support the team."

The Lewis family, Spurs' owners, have insisted they will not be selling their majority stake and that they are committed to overseeing a more successful era at the club.

Non-executive chairman Peter Charrington and CEO Vinai Venkatesham

REUTERS

A £100m cash injection was made last year, though that was viewed as helping the day-to-day running of the club rather than a transfer kitty.

Sources suggest that it would be more realistic to judge the owners' ambitions after the summer window, rather than the recent uneventful January activity.

That was a viewpoint echoed by Lange, who insisted there are "big ambitions" to bolster the squad ahead of next season.

"The summer window is where eight or nine out of ten players move their club," Lange said.

"We'll go into the summer window with big ambitions of strengthening the team. We know there will be more movements, we know there will be more opportunities.

"The plans are already drawn up. We have a clear picture of which positions and also which profiles.

"Could we have bought one or two more in this January window? We've have been delighted to do so. But that was not a possibility so we are looking forward to the summer."