Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham “need to operate in a different way in the future” when it comes to transfers.
Tottenham became the first club in Premier League history to go an entire summer transfer window without signing a single player last year.
They seem unlikely to make any signings this month either, with Pochettino suggesting the winter window “is worse” for deals.
But the manager did not rule out possible arrivals in north London, suggesting that they do not have to sell in order to buy this month.
“I think it’s not dependent on some players leaving,” he said.
“It’s more about finding the right player who fits for us, not only in the football side but is going to be a player that fits in all the areas.
“We know very well that summer is always difficult but winter is worse. Sure, for us it’s going to be difficult for us to add players. I don’t expect to add players but of course if in the end we have the opportunity to add the right players we are going to try.
“We are always open in trying to improve the squad but it’s not about players in if these players leave the squad. We will not operate like this.
“The other day I saw a stat that in the last 10 years in England and Europe how the teams were spending money. I think we were on the bottom.
“Of course we’re doing a fantastic job but if we want to be real contenders we need to operate in a different way in the future.”