OPINION
Tottenham have been widely linked with a move for Everton ace Ross Barkley, but they should ditch those plans and consider chasing Manchester United playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The Mirror report that Spurs are set to battle league rivals Chelsea in January to sign attacking midfielder Barkley.
However, the north London club should be alerted to a different Premier League creator and that is United sensation Mkhitaryan.
The Sun report that the 28-year-old is currently on the brink of an Old Trafford exit and is fighting for his career at the club.
It is understood that Jose Mourinho and his staff have concerns over the fitness levels of the Armenia international.
Spurs fans may initially be concerned by fitness issues surrounding Mkhitaryan , but Barkley is the player that has not played this season and the United man is a much better player.
Mauricio Pochettino already has Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen as his chief creators, but a third top-class option would allow him to rotate across all competitions.
Mkhitaryan would be a brilliant signing for Spurs and striker Harry Kane would surely thrive off his service.
He is best deployed in the number 10 role behind a striker and would be able to slot into Pochettino’s system given his versatility to also fill in at wide.
The creative force is a brilliant technician that is excellent at dribbling and can also play defence-splitting passes with ease.
He already has two goals and six assists in 16 games for United this season, stats that could easily be replicated at Spurs.
If there is any chance that Pochettino can raid United for one of their most influential players then he should certainly pursue it.