Tottenham Hotspur will be disappointed not to be keeping pace with the league leaders in the same way they did for much of last season.

Way adrift of table-toppers Chelsea, even a couple of draws will knock them out of the picture completely.

Recruiting well is a key priority in January and beyond. With the title looking increasingly out of reach this season, next summer is as important as ever.

Spurs always have plenty of money to spend but perhaps not to the level that can be splashed by Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, and that makes it all the more important to get value out of their transfers.

There's many out-of-contract stars around European football and Spurs are well placed to offer them good wages, a passionate fanbase and a competitive first-team.

Here are THREE such stars that could make an impact on Pochettino's side...

Andrew Robertson

Andrew Robertson

At just 22, Andrew Robertson is one of the Premier League's top talents. A marauding full-back that is strong in the tackle but equally adept at running with the ball, Spurs would be an excellent place for him to develop his potential.

Unbelievably Hull have still not renewed his contract, so he's available for free in 2017.

It's a risk-free signing for Spurs and one that could pay dividends for years to come, and the Tigers may be tempted to cash in while they still can in the coming weeks.

John Obi Mikel

John Obi Mikel (3)

Seemingly having no future under Antonio Conte at Chelsea given he's not played a single game for Chelsea this season, John Obi Mikel is one of the best players out of contract next summer.

That should pique the interest of clubs like Spurs who are always looking to add quality to midfield areas.

Mikel has vast experience in the Premier League and has won lots of honours at Stamford Bridge. It's the kind of pedigree that would serve Pochettino well, as he needs winners and leaders in his team and he likely won't find much better value than in Chelsea's midfielder, who will surely be available on the cheap in the coming weeks.

Mario Balotelli

Football - Hull City v Liverpool - Barclays Premier League - The Kingston Communications Stadium - 28/4/15
Liverpool's Mario Balotelli
Reuters / Andrew Yates
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After a year on loan at AC Milan last season Mario Balotelli left Liverpool on not very good terms at all. He ended up signing a year long contract at French side Nice and it's a move that's proving beneficial for all parties.

Nice are currently sitting top of Ligue 1 and Balotelli has shown some of the best form of his career, banging in seven goals in ten appearances.

This will no doubt be alerting many clubs around Europe. Could he finally be the player he's always promised to be in the Premier League?

Available on a free, or for potentially a knockdown sum in January, perhaps Spurs should find out...