Pundit makes big Tottenham call but West Ham, Arsenal fans won’t be cheering

Former Chelsea and Scotland star Craig Burley feels the January signings made by Tottenham will see them finish in the top four above two London rivals.

Spurs left it late in the transfer window but managed to acquire Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur – both from Juventus. Kulusevski, 21, has penned an 18-month loan deal with an option to buy. The north Londoners paid around £16m for 24-year-old Bentancur, with the midfielder inking a three-and-a-half year contract.

Antonio Conte also jettisoned a number of players to reduce his squad. Dele Alli’s move to Everton ended a tortuous period for the England schemer.

Giovani Lo Celso was loaned to Villarreal while Bryan Gil left for a loan spell at Valencia. Lyon took Tanguy Ndombele on loan while Nile John, Jack Clarke, Dilan Markanday and Kion Etete all departed.

It ended up being a successful window for Spurs despite losing out on the likes of Adama Traore and Luis Diaz. It sets them up nicely for the second half of the campaign.

Conte’s side currently sit seventh in the table, with 36 points from 20 games played. Arsenal are one spot above on the same number of points but having played a game more.

West Ham sit fifth with 37 points but have already played 23 matches. Manchester United occupy the coveted fourth Champions League spot having taken 38 points from 22 outings.

There is realistically only one place in the top four up for grabs with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea streets ahead. And Burley believes the Lilywhites’ recruitment means they now have the edge over their rivals.

“They’ve got a better chance of top four,” he told ESPN FC on BT Sport. “I’m going to say, yes-ish.

“Manchester United worry me, I think West Ham will fall away, Arsenal are there or