Tottenham Want Vincent Janssen

While these are very early days in the transfer window, Tottenham fans may have been feeling a little impatient over the last few weeks.

It is generally an unhelpful trait in the modern-day supporter and is often premature — there is, of course, plenty of time for Spurs to strengthen their squad and prepare themselves for a return to the Champions League.

But, then again, this time last year they had already signed Kevin Wimmer, and on the other side of north London, arch-rivals Arsenal have been quickly out of the traps, spending £30m on Switzerland international Granit Xhaka before activating the £20m release clause in Jamie Vardy’s contract.

Yet, having successfully negotiated a popular deal which will see Spurs playing at Wembley Stadium while they are unable to use White Hart Lane — both in the Champions League next season and throughout the 2016-17 campaign — Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy now appears to be making some progress with the club’s recruitment plan.

It is thought Spurs have been given permission to speak to AZ Alkmaar striker Vincent Janssen, who topped the scoring charts in the Dutch Eredivisie last season, netting 27 goals in 34 games.

He has also scored three times in five games for the Netherlands, including a penalty in a 2-1 victory over England in March, and has admitted he is “ready for a big step up.”

It is always dangerous to assume that such players will be similarly prolific in the Premier League. Dirk Kuyt hit 71 league goals in 101 games for Dutch outfit Feyenoord, but his strike-rate was then lower at Liverpool, where he managed 51 in 208 top-flight fixtures — and no-one will need to be reminded of the case of Roberto Soldado, who hit 28 goals for Valencia in the season before his ill-fated move to Tottenham in 2013.

However, after a series of transfer windows when Spurs have failed to sign a specialist striker and have become increasingly reliant on Harry Kane, supporters will surely be excited and encouraged to see the club making an early move for a free-scoring front-man.

Tottenham got away with their enormous gamble on Kane last season — indeed the England forward won the Golden Boot in the top flight. However, one nasty tackle at any stage could have undermined much of the team’s good work and cost them their place in the Champions League, and England’s No. 9 will surely not be rested in Europe next season, as he was for much of the last campaign.

Kane clearly needs help and it might already be on the way, less than a month after the domestic season ended. Janssen may not be one of the biggest names in world football, but he seems to fit the mould in terms of Tottenham’s recruitment strategy.

At 21 years old, the Dutchman would have plenty of time to develop under manager Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff, while fitting neatly into a youthful squad. Meanwhile, his price tag — thought to be around £12m — is right in the middle of Tottenham’s comfort zone and is very similar to the sums the club paid for both Toby Alderweireld (£11.5m) and Clinton Njie (£12m) last summer.

It is also a bonus for Spurs that the Netherlands failed to qualify for Euro 2016, meaning they can continue their negotiations with Janssen unhindered and avoid the issues that have put Arsenal’s move for Vardy on hold.

It remains to be seen how many of their targets Tottenham can sign before Pochettino’s gruelling pre-season programme begins, or before the Premier League season kicks off again.