Tottenham fans in the Transfer Tavern were again bemoaning their side’s luck at Wembley after failing to beat Swansea City on Saturday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men went some way to quashing talk of a Wembley hoodoo with a mightily impressive 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last week, but they remain without a Premier League success at the national stadium following a goalless draw with Paul Clement’s Swans.

That means that our resident Spurs supporters have seen their side lose to Chelsea and draw against Burnley and Swansea, meaning that they have already dropped more points at home this term (seven) than they did in the entirety of last season (six), their last at White Hart Lane.

Nonetheless, Pochettino’s side will seek to get another victory at Wembley on Tuesday against Championship side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, yet attentions are already turning to who they may look to bring in during the January transfer window, with reports suggesting that they are keeping tabs on Barcelona’s Andre Gomes.

The 24-year-old only moved to the Nou Camp last year but has struggled for first team football at the Spanish giants this time round, playing just 13 minutes in their opening four La Liga matches.

And reports suggest that Spurs could look to prize him away from the Catalans in January, although that could see their interest in Everton’s Ross Barkley come to an end.

Yet, here are FIVE reasons why they would be mad to pass up the chance to land Barkley in the New Year…

He clearly has potential

Regardless of people’s opinions on Barkley, there’s little doubt that he has serious potential, and potential that could see him become a top-quality midfielder.

The England international is strong, industrious, and remarkably good with the ball at his feet, while he also possesses great vision, awareness, and a stinging shot which makes him deadly from range.

Yes, his defensive skills leave a lot to be desired, and he sometimes makes the wrong decision, but under the stewardship of Pochettino and around better players, Barkley will improve, and may well fulfil his undoubted potential at Tottenham.

If so, Spurs would have a seriously talented player on their books.

Pochettino gives English players a chance

When you look at the make-up of the current Tottenham side, it is full of English players who have been given a chance by Pochettino, and now both he and them are reaping the rewards.

The likes of Kyle Walker (albeit now at Manchester City) and Danny Rose have risen to become the best full-backs in England in recent years, despite both struggling for consistency pre-Pochettino.

Harry Kane is now one of the best strikers in world football, another benefiting from the Argentine’s appointment back in 2014, while the young duo of Dele Alli and Eric Dier are fixtures in the Spurs first team, and many of England’s future hopes are pinned on them as well.

The likes of Kieran Trippier, Harry Winks, and even Kyle Walker-Peters have also earned first team appearances and performed well under Pochettino – he happily gives young English players a chance to shine, and would almost certainly do so with Barkley.

And if he has similar success with him as he did the aforementioned crop, the Evertonian could be set for the promising career that looked certain for him many years ago.

He’s a match-winner

Tottenham have got plenty of match-winners, notably Kane, Alli, and Christian Eriksen, and you could certainly add Barkley to that list.

The 23-year-old may not be overly consistent but he’s the sort of player who could spark into life at a time Spurs need him, perhaps late on when they struggling to break teams down, or indeed seeking to end their Wembley hoodoo.

The Englishman has the quality and skill to make the telling difference for Tottenham, and win them several matches over the course of the coming years.

Strength in depth

Ultimately, the main criticism aimed at Tottenham in the last few years is their lack of strength in depth, with their first team arguably one of the best in the Premier League, but their bench very much not.

And were the likes of Alli, Eriksen, or Kane to get injured or suspended, they struggle to replace them with the necessary quality to minimise their absences – having Barkley around wouldn’t though.

The 23-year-old has played a lot of Premier League football already to know how to succeed at this level, and were he given the freedom he often desires in an advanced role, with the likes of Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama holding the fort in the midfield, he could do some serious damage.

At the moment, Barkley isn’t at the level of the likes of Alli and Eriksen, but he’s certainly an upgrade on the other options, and would thus provide Spurs with some strength in depth in that department to cope with the demands of domestic and European football.

Young enough to lead Spurs for years

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Barkley is older than 23, given that he already has four Premier League campaigns under his belt, and 150 appearances at that level.

And that is why Tottenham’s investment could be so rewarding, as the midfielder is young enough yet experienced enough already to lead Spurs for many years to come.

The North London outfit are embarking on a new era in a new stadium next season as they look to muscle in with the Premier League’s heavyweights and maintain a challenge for the title, and alongside the likes of Alli, Kane, and Eriksen, all young themselves, Spurs could be set up for sustained success for many years.

It’s an attacking unit which could flourish for several years, and in turn lead Tottenham to many trophies along the way.