Mauricio Pochettino has now sold Nacer Chadli and is in desperate need of wide reinforcements.

The desperation has reached such levels that names like Wilfried Zaha are reportedly being considered. Zaha has flaws, despite his improvements, and would be a significant, costly investment for a club like Tottenham, who have remained frugal in the most extraordinary of transfer markets.

Daniel Levy clearly does not want to be spending silly money, nor does he want to waste this squad that Tottenham have assembled. They are stuck in a catch 22 in this bizarre, cash-heavy transfer window, where players are moving regularly for club-record fees. Eleven clubs have broken their transfer records this summer, in fact.

Spurs need to find a way to add to their squad and they need to do it fast. Whether they want a pacey winger, or a wide playmaker like Christian Eriksen, here are three far more sensible alternatives to Zaha...

Xherdan Shaqiri

Shaqiri, despite not producing remarkable numbers, had a relatively decent first season in the Premier League. His low centre of gravity and ability to twist on to either foot saw him give opposing left-backs all sorts of bother throughout.

Most importantly, perhaps, was how he demonstrated his ability to create chances. Drifting in from the right, he threaded some exceptional through passes for Stoke's other forwards, a pass that would reap serious rewards in Tottenham's current setup.

His ability to switch feet is an asset and would allow Pochettino to use him on either flank. Whether competing with Erik Lamela or Christian Eriksen for minutes, Shaqiri would be a peach of a signing.

Yacine Brahimi

Brahimi lit up European football at times last season. FC Porto's winger has the pace and quick feet to trouble even the most structured defences, meaning he would have no trouble twisting Premier League back lines in knots.

Spurs need a player who can provide more of an individual spark, even if that may - at times - compromise the team as a whole.

Brahimi, when compared to Zaha, fits the Spurs side quite nicely. He will work, he will terrorise the opposition in possession and he has an eye for an adventurous shot from distance.

They both suffer issues with their final third decision making, but the Algerian is unquestionable a cut above the Crystal Palace man at this point.

Memphis Depay

Mauricio Pochettino has proven himself as an excellent man manager and boy is that what Memphis needs right now. Since arriving as the next bright young thing at Manchester United, Depay has been marginalised and will probably struggle to even get onto the pitch this season.

Way down the pecking order and way out of favour, Depay could see his career turned around at Spurs. It may take time for him to buy in to the high-intensity that Pochettino desires, but the talent is undoubtedly there for Depay to become a real superstar in this Spurs side. His ability to score goals from all angles would add something vitally important to the Lilywhites; who can be accused of lacking goalscorers.

Depay needs nurturing to become the world class winger that everyone expected him to be and Spurs might just be the perfect place for that.