Saido Berahino West Brom 2015
Tottenham are attempting to pry striker Saido Berahino, middle, from West Brom. Getty Images

For the last two Premier League terms, Tottenham have clung to the periphery of Champions League qualification. Most recently manager Mauricio Pochettino’s side finished fifth, six points back of Manchester United, a misstep that could be charged to the 53 goals allowed throughout the campaign. It’s a total exceeded only by squads who finished in 14th place or worse last year.

Spurs begans the summer transfer session with the explicit focus of bolstering the backline, most notably adding defenders Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid, Kevin Wimmer from Cologne, and Kieran Trippier from Burnley for a combined £19 million.

But Pochettino’s next projected moves will specifically focus on the attack, starting with West Brom striker Saido Berahino.

The People reported earlier this week that Pochettino’s made the rising star a “priority” signing. Scouts evidently watched the 21-year-old’s progress last season as he scored 20 total goals over 45 appearances in all competitions.

Tottenham are prepared to make a £15 million bid for Berahino, but People suggests West Brom might hold out for more as the Hawthorns side are amidst a takeover.

Should Spurs go through with the Berahino bid, he stands to replace soon-to-be-gone striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Daily Telegraph reports Tottenham are willing to loan the 31-year-old to an Aston Villa side seeking its own replacement for Liverpool-bound Christian Benteke.

The Telegraph indicates that while Spurs chairman Daniel Levy’s largely held out for a £5 million permanent fee, Tottenham could be swayed to make the loan deal if West Brom pick up Adebayor’s £100,000-a-week wages.

Since 2011, Adebayor’s accounted for 35 goals at White Hart Lane, a huge chunk of the attack but Berahino should fill out the role as he continues to develop.

Tottenham are also attempting to spruce up their midfield, and winger Aaron Lennon could be the first casualty. The 28-year-old has caught the eye of Turkish club Fenerbahce, who have already landed Robin van Persie and Nani from Manchester United, according to The Sun.

Lennon’s served well during his near 10-year tenure at White Hart Lane, and Pochettino might hesitate to let him go if Tottenham didn’t have their sights set on Everton defensive midfielder James McCarthy.

Daily Mail reported last week that Spurs were actually willing to offer cash and Lennon in order to land the 24-year-old Irish international, who’s evidently grown frustrated with Everton’s failure to rework the £13 million deal he signed back in 2013 to move on from Wigan.