Tottenham supporters have had more the cheer about in the last few days in the Transfer Tavern following their side’s fine wins over Everton and Borussia Dortmund.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men only managed one victory from their opening three Premier League games, in which time they failed to end their Wembley hoodoo after going down 2-1 at home to Chelsea, and then conceding a last-minute leveller against Sean Dyche’s Burnley to seriously deflate several Spurs fans in the Tavern.

However, the North London outfit produced a sensational display to brush aside Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday, with a brace from Harry Kane and a first-half strike from Christian Eriksen securing the three points for Pochettino’s men.

That win lifted Spurs up to fifth in the table at this early stage, but the best was yet to come as they beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, thus finally getting a victory at Wembley, although part of the build-up to that match was somewhat overshadowed by recent reports that centre-back Toby Alderweireld is a January target for Manchester City.

It goes without saying how crucial the Belgian defender has been for Spurs in recent seasons, so much so that he has arguably become the best centre-back in the Premier League, so reports of City’s interest is hardly going to go down well with the Tottenham fans in the Tavern.

Nonetheless, if Alderweireld were to go, Spurs would have to find a replacement, and here are FIVE men who could indeed come in and replace the 28-year-old…

Ben Gibson

Ben Gibson was a rare shining light in an otherwise miserable season at Middlesbrough last term, yet despite speculation remains a Boro player following the summer.

The 24-year-old played every minute of their disastrous Premier League campaign but he did his bit in helping the side to one of the best defensive records in the bottom half of the top-flight, having conceded just 53 goals over the course of the season.

And with an England call-up as well, albeit not yet an England cap, Gibson is certainly a very talented defender and one who could easily be playing at Premier League level – he’s one Spurs have been linked with before, and certainly should target again were Alderweireld to leave the club.

Virgil van Dijk

The future of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk was well speculated upon over the course of the summer, but he remained a Saints player beyond the 11pm deadline on August 31.

However, having handed a transfer request in earlier on in August, it remains to be seen whether he is welcomed back by the St Mary’s faithful, and Spurs should be ready to pounce again in January should he still want out of the South Coast outfit.

Losing Alderweireld would be a huge loss, yet landing someone as defensively sound but also good with his feet like van Dijk would certainly minimise the impact of the Belgian’s possible departure.

Chris Smalling

Chris Smalling’s Manchester United future seems to be in the balance having seen Victor Lindelof brought in over the summer, alongside the Englishman’s failure to feature at all for the Red Devils in the Premier League this term.

Compatriot Phil Jones appears to have taken the 27-year-old’s place in the starting eleven after a string of impressive displays, and with fellow centre-back Eric Bailly proving his worth as well, Smalling is facing a fight to get into Jose Mourinho’s side.

And that could tempt Tottenham into a move in the next transfer window, and having already been loosely linked over the summer, it’s certainly a deal to keep an eye on come the New Year.

Jonny Evans

It looked for all the world that Jonny Evans would be leaving West Brom over the summer, with Manchester City heavily linked with the Northern Ireland international.

Yet the 29-year-old remains at the Hawthorns and has the chance to continue to build upon a fine run of form for Tony Pulis’ side, which has arguably seen him become the defender many expected him to be when he started out at Manchester United years ago.

Nonetheless, speculation is again likely to be rife come January, especially if he continues to shine for the Baggies, and that may even include Tottenham were Alderweireld to leave.

Evans has proven his capabilities at this level over many years, and could be exactly the replacement needed at Spurs should Alderweireld move on.

Vincent Kompany

A slightly surprising choice maybe, but a Manchester City move for Alderweireld would surely call into question the future of captain Vincent Kompany.

And if Pep Guardiola doesn’t feel that the Belgium international can stay fully fit, could a move to Tottenham be on the cards as part of Alderweireld’s deal?

Kompany proved in the rear end of last season that he still retains huge ability at Premier League level, and it seems that City often defend better when he is in the side.

His best days may be behind him, but the 31-year-old could certainly do a job in Spurs’ backline, alongside compatriot Vertonghen, were Alderweireld to move to the Etihad Stadium.