Tottenham Hotspur’s search for a new number nine has seen them turn their attention to an exciting La Liga marksman in Roberto Fernandez.Given Spurs’ struggles for goals this season, it is not surprising that the Lilywhites are being backed to prioritise signing a new centre-forward in January.It has been suggested that Tottenham could reignite their interest in Eli Junior Kroupi, who is expected to return to action over the coming weeks after picking up an injury in the summer.Spurs are also looking beyond the Premier League for a new number nine, with Freiburg star Igor Matanovic thought to be on the Lilywhites’ radar.It has now emerged that the North London club have also been very impressed by the progress of a Spanish striker over recent months.Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty ImagesEspanyol’s Roberto Fernandez has shot to the top of Tottenham’s wishlistTEAMtalk reveal that the Spurs recruitment department are continuing to search for a new number nine and one La Liga star has caught their attention.Tottenham have ‘stepped up their work’ on Roberto Fernandez, who has been one of the most in-form forwards in Spanish football this term.Spurs have carried out ‘detailed work’ on the 24-year-old over recent months, and their scouts have been ‘hugely impressed’ with what they have seen.The 24-year-old, who has scored six times in seven matches so far this term, has now ‘firmly established himself at the top of their list of targets’ ahead of the January window.Fernandez’s impressive form at the start of the season has seen him break into the Spain squad, with the striker being handed his first cap by Luis de la Fuente in La Roja’s 3-1 victory over Czechia.Roberto De Zerbi does not want to use Omar Marmoush upfrontTEAMtalk claim that De Zerbi feels his Tottenham side could do with one more natural number nine option, especially given Dominic Solanke’s struggles for fitness and form.The Tottenham boss does not view Omar Marmoush as ‘an archetypal central striker’ and we could see the Egyptian revert to a deeper role or left-wing if and when a new number nine arrives in January.However, Spurs are not the only Premier League club eyeing Fernandez, with his impressive form also causing interest from their rivals.Scouts feel that the Espanyol star has the perfect attributes to lead the line in English football, with Chelsea and Brighton also having the 24-year-old on their radar.READ MORE: Eli Kroupi Junior or Troy Parrott? Tottenham may have a huge £85m decision to makeThe post Roberto Fernandez shoots to top of Tottenham striker shortlist after Spain debut appeared first on Spurs Web.