Tottenham Could Sign Next Dele In "Magnificent" £35m Target

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to add even more firepower to their side this summer, with Ange Postecoglou having honed in on another creative target.

Who are Tottenham Hotspur signing this summer?

Having already welcomed James Maddison and Manor Solomon into the fold, many might assume that the Lilywhites' front line was sufficiently bolstered with the new season approaching.

However, according to FootballTransfers, they are now in talks with Lyon prodigy Rayan Cherki over a potential switch to the English capital.

Whilst they are set to battle with Chelsea for his signature, the financial troubles surrounding the French club could propose a cut-price fee in order to boost their coffers. As such, the Blues are reportedly preparing a €40m (£35m) offer, with interest in an exit thought to be high.

Representatives of the player have been in London touting his services, as if to emphasise this stance.

Who is Rayan Cherki?

Having been one of France's brightest footballing prospects for many years now, the 19-year-old seems poised for his big move that could take his career to the next level. It would be the natural progression for the teenage sensation who has been consistently thriving in Ligue 1.

Just last season saw the maestro post ten goal contributions in the league, having enjoyed his best goalscoring and creative campaign across his entire short career.

Such an ability to do both with such finesse, plus his youth, two-footedness, ability to dribble and scything passing range, all combine to draw startling comparisons with former Spurs wonderkid Dele Alli.

Although his career has somewhat stagnated of late, with his recent interview with Gary Neville bravely revealing the hardships that explain his troubles, few will forget how the MK Dons graduate burst onto the scene at White Hart Lane.

A return of 18 goals and nine assists in just his second Premier League season saw him take the division by storm, with Mauricio Pochettino even labelling him as the best young player in the world in 2018.

dele-tottenham-hotspur

His youth fed into his fearlessness, as he conquered every stage set out for him before recently joining Everton in a bid to recapture that form.

In the meantime, Cherki could provide the reanimated version of the former England international, with all the traits that made Dele so special plus some added trickery that has seen him feature off the flank at times.

Football scout Jacek Kulig outlined such qualities just last month, showcasing his key attributes during one performance before writing:

"The youngest member of this French Dream Team. Magnificent talent."

Eurosport France's Martin Mosnier would supplement a notion, claiming:

"He’s really an attacking midfielder although he can also play as a left winger. Cherki is an exceptional dribbler, one of the first things one notices when watching him is that he appears to be ambipedal, as he can seemingly utilise both feet equally well.

“His strengths are as follows: key passes, dribbling and his ability to create something out of nothing."

The latter of these attributes could perfectly encapsulate the bulk of Dele's career in north London, with his stunning finish against Crystal Palace in 2016 acting as a perfect microcosm for such a talent.

dele

With the ball lofted infield, the 27-year-old took one deft touch, before the second lifted it over the onrushing defender. As he spun and swung his right boot at it, he caught the ball on the volley from just outside the area, watching it laser into the bottom left corner of the net. Selhurst Park has astounded, having witnessed such imperious quality from a player who was just 19 years old.

Many Spurs fans will be willing on their former star to reignite his career at Goodison Park, especially after the tear-jerking interview posted just over a week ago.

However, Cherki would denote a perfect alternative for them to get behind once again, who has all the qualities capable of replicating the feat that made the world stand up and take note of Dele.

£35m Arrival Impresses Jurgen Klopp In Liverpool Pre-Season

After winning the World Cup with Argentina, and impressing at Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool fans will be eagerly anticipating Alexis Mac Allister’s first game in a Liverpool shirt next season.The £35m arrival could be one of the signings of the summer, especially given the price tag, as Jurgen Klopp looks to rebuild his midfield.Alongside the Argentine will, of course, be fellow new arrival Dominik Szoboszlai. The former RB Leipzig midfielder has already impressed Liverpool fans in the infamous pre-season lactate test, winning his group with ease.More recently, however, it has been the turn of Mac Allister to impress, earning a reaction from Klopp after finding the back of the net in a recent training session.If the Liverpool boss couldn’t hold back his reaction in training, then who knows what he’ll do if Mac Allister scores a debut Premier League goal for the Reds against Chelsea in August.

What did Klopp say about Mac Allister?

As you can see in footage shared by the club’s Twitter page, the former Brighton man initially got a reaction from his new boss after fizzing an inch-perfect effort into the bottom right corner during a training match, leading the German to shout: “Wow, Macca!”

What really ignited Klopp, however, was the midfielder’s interception at the other end, with the manager passionately yelling: “I love it Mac Allister!”

It seems as though the Liverpool manager is already falling in love with his new player, who may well transform his side into title contenders, once more.

Mac Allister could make his unofficial Liverpool debut on Wednesday, as the Reds begin their pre-season fixtures against Karlsruher SC in Germany.

How old is Alexis Mac Allister?

Still only 24 years old, Mac Allister is entering his prime as we speak, making his £35m price tag even more of an outstanding bargain for Liverpool.

The Premier League giants are getting themselves a player capable of scoring goals, too. Last season, he was involved in 15 goals in all competitions last season, scoring 12, and assisting a further three.

For context of just how much he’ll add to the middle of the park at Anfield, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Curtis Jones, and Thiago Alcantara scored a combined three goals in the Premier League last season – all three of which were scored by Jones.

So, it’s clear that Mac Allister should be a huge upgrade on the current options at Anfield, and that should show on the pitch, as the Reds look to get back into the Premier League’s top four, and perhaps even mount an unexpected title charge.

Klopp may yet welcome more midfielders this summer, too, given that both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have been linked with moves away.

Fabinho, of course, has not travelled to Germany with the rest of the squad, as he looks to complete a move to Al-Ittihad, per Paul Joyce.

Henderson, meanwhile, has agreed personal terms with Al-Ettifaq, and is waiting for Liverpool to reach an agreement over the proposed fee, according to Fabrizio Romano.

If both players leave, then Klopp and co could turn to Romeo Lavia, who is on their shortlist, as per Romano. The Southampton teenager would complete Liverpool’s summer rebuild in midfield.

One way or another, the club’s squad is going to look a whole lot different by the time the current transfer window slams shut on 1 September.

Wolves Nearing "Unbelievable" Deal For £68k p/w Ace

Wolverhampton Wanderers are on the verge of re-signing Matt Doherty in what would be an 'unbelievable' return for the Irishman to Molineux and his addition may push Nelson Semedo out of the club, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Is Matt Doherty set for a return to Wolverhampton Wanderers?

According to TEAMtalk, Doherty is in talks over a dramatic return to Wolves following his release from Atletico Madrid, where he earned £68,000 per week in his short spell, at the end of last season.

The Republic of Ireland international has also had interest in his services from Saudi Arabia and Crystal Palace; however, the Old Gold are now 'closing in' on capturing the right-back and hope that they can officially announce his signature in the near future.

Cited by The Daily Mail, Doherty is represented by Jorge Mendes' Gestifute agency who are believed to have strong links to Wolves, which in turn will increase the chances of any deal happening.

Wolves are conducting their transfer business under strict financial limits and are of the notion that being able to acquire an experienced player with Premier League experience without having to pay a fee represents a savvy piece of recruitment.

Further lending credence to the speculation surrounding Doherty's future, The Athletic have chimed in and indicated that Wolves are in advanced talks to sign the 31-year-old, though no deal has yet been agreed between both parties despite holding 'positive discussions' in the last few days.

In his first stint at Molineux, Doherty became an icon at Wolves and made 302 appearances in all competitions, registering 28 goals and 41 assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has said that Doherty's proposed move to Wolves is 'in motion' while believes his arrival could have an effect on Portuguese right-back Semedo's future at Molineux, as the 29-year-old has been linked with a move to Roma, as per Marca via Roma Press.

Jones stated: "This one is in motion and I’m told it is happening. It’s a great opportunity to sign a good player without a big outlay and obviously that suits Wolves. But at the same time, it is quite an unbelievable story really because I never saw a time when he would return. From his point of view, Doherty is such a driven player, someone who seemed so determined to prove he can make it to the very top of the game, that going back to Wolves has always seemed a bit out of the question.

"There was a time last year when he could have gone back there from Spurs, but he was totally unwavering that he would not do that. He even mentioned in an interview the hazards of going back. But obviously his move to Spain has not gone well and he’s been released after a season in which he’s literally played a couple of games.

"He’s in his thirties now, so it’s not a stage when you want to take any more risks, and Wolves under Lopetegui is a very attractive option. Nuno got a lot out of him at Wolves and it will be interesting to see what the playing process is a few years down the line.

"I think some fans will be a bit perplexed by it — but Wolves are shopping on a shoestring budget where possible and they will see this as a good opportunity. If they complete the deal, I fully believe Doherty will expect to become a first-choice selection very quickly, but you also wonder if a return hints at a change in the way Wolves are going to set up the team.

"If you look for a knock-on effect for a potential arrival of Doherty, then it is probably to see what happens with Semedo. He was the only player looking to start at right-back and Roma have already shown interest in him."

Will Wolverhampton Wanderers be able to effectively strengthen this summer?

Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui spoke out earlier this year about monetary problems at the club due to Financial Fair Play regulations and urged the Old Gold to 'solve' the mess they were in or risk finding it 'very difficult' to compete in the Premier League.

Nevertheless, following their sale of Nathan Collins to Brentford for £23 million this window, Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett via Football Daily revealed that Wolves are no longer under financial pressure to sell players this summer, in a major boost for the West Midlands outfit.

Bristol City's Alex Scott

Bristol City starlet Alex Scott has emerged as a target for Wolves this summer as they plot an improvement on last campaign; however, any deal would cost in the region of £25 million, according to The Athletic's Steve Madeley.

According to The Daily Mail, Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo has been identified as another potential arrival at Molineux and they are considering offering him a shot at redemption in the Premier League following a torrid spell at Liverpool, signifying that movement regarding incomings at Wolves may begin shortly.

Celtic Agree Fee For "Excellent" Forward

Celtic have agreed a £2.1m transfer fee with Gangwon FC for forward Yang Hyun-jun, however, a move is proving complicated.

What’s the latest Celtic transfer news?

It has been a busy few weeks off the pitch at Parkhead, which began when Ange Postecoglou left the cub to join Tottenham. Since then, Brendan Rodgers has been brought in for a second stint in charge of the Hoops, and new signings have been made.

The first player to arrive was midfielder Odin Thiago Holm, who joined from Eliteserien club Valerenga and signed a five-year contract in Glasgow. As well as Holm, Australian winger Marco Tilio has also penned a five-year deal with the Hoops, joining from Melbourne City.

There has been a major departure, though, with star winger Jota joining Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £25m.

More attacking additions could be on the cards as a result, with Yang a player who has been linked with a move to Parkhead. Reports last month claimed that Celtic made a significant transfer offer for the K-League winger, with journalist Jason Lee saying:

“According to Korean media, Celtic have sent an official transfer offer to Gangwon FC for Yang Hyun-Jun. The offer is believed to be "significant and final" as Celtic await Gangwon's response. The player is eager to move to Celtic.”

There has now been a further update from Football Scotland, who say that Celtic and Gangwon have in fact agreed on a £2.1m deal which includes a 12% sell-on clause.

The player is keen to move to Scotland, however, Gangwon are now stalling over a deal as they believe Yang could help them avoid relegation. Gangwon want to keep their forward until January when their season finishes, but Yang is even willing to give up his salary to push through a move to join Rodgers’ side ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Former Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers.

Who is Yang Hyun-jun?

Yang is primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or through the middle, so would bring plenty of versatility to Rodgers’ attacking options and may rival current right-wingers James Forrest and Liel Abada, although the latter of the two has been linked with a move to Sporting Lisbon.

He was described as “excellent” and a “level above” in the media following a pre-season display against Tottenham last year and has contributed to 14 goals in 69 senior appearances for Gangwon.

The 21-year-old is under contract until the end of 2025 and has been described as an unpredictable and eye-catching player in the media, labelled as Gangwon’s up-and-coming star last year by the K League media.

Celtic have enjoyed plenty of success by bringing players in from the Asian market over recent years, and it looks as if Rodgers is keen to continue looking in that direction. Former manager Postecoglou signed the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Oh Hyeon-gyu from Japan and South Korea, and with a deal agreed for Yang, hopefully, he’ll be the next to arrive in Scotland.

Liverpool Keen On Signing £77m ‘Monster’ At Anfield

Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for Federico Valverde this summer and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of the player.

Is Federico Valverde joining Liverpool?

According to reports in Spain earlier this week, the Reds are keen on bringing the Uruguayan to Anfield this summer.

It's said that Jurgen Klopp is obsessed with the idea of signing him and believes the player would fit perfectly into his tactical set-up.

As a result, Liverpool are preparing an offer of €90m (£77m) in an attempt to bring him to English football.

An offer at this expense will seem incredibly unlikely owing to FSG's tight spending structure and would make the Los Blancos talent the club's record-breaking signing ahead of Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Darwin Nunez.

How good is Federico Valverde?

There is no doubt that Valverde would be an incredible asset in the centre of the park for Liverpool and should an opportunity arise to snap up the midfielder's services, it is one that should not be ignored.

The 24-year-old Champions League winner is one of the hottest prospects in his position across Europe; ranking in the top 16% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for non-penalty goals, shots on goal, pass completion and progressive carries.

Owing to his attacking strengths, Valverde – hailed a "monster" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – could be the perfect player to partner new signing Dominik Szoboszlai next season – causing chaos alongside the Hungarian ace to form an unstoppable threat and boost creativity to provide huge chances for their teammates in the final third.

Over last season, the Uruguay international displayed some key attributes that could complement Szoboszlai's weaknesses in his game, as Valverde is a much more prolific and confident ball-winner proven in his aerial duels won (73.8% v 28%), successful take-ons (70.5% v 50.5%) and dribblers tackled rate (50% v 40.5%), as per FBref.

federico-valverde-premier-league-liverpool-transfers

Comparatively, the newly-signed Liverpool star was much more efficient in breaking the lines of attack to play the final ball into the box with more shot-creating actions per 90 (5.52 v 2.91), goal-creating actions per 90 (0.63 v 0.50), more assists (8 v 4) and a better shot on target rate (48.3% v 33.3%), proving that combining the pair's best attributes could cover the entire path to the final third with ease.

It remains to be seen whether Valverde will be allowed to leave Real Madrid this summer as Carlo Ancelotti is a huge admirer of his player and has previously claimed that he is an "untouchable" member of his squad, however, the Italian coach is set to leave in 2024 upon the expiry of his contract after accepting the Brazil national team job, so there is a possibility he could sanction a move.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer to snap up the services of Valverde this summer and if Jurgen Klopp can convince FSG to table the transfer fee required it could set up Liverpool's midfield for years to come.

Chelsea Tracking 6 Ft 2 Defender Who Wants To Leave His Club

Chelsea are monitoring Real Madrid Castilla starlet Rafa Marin ahead of a potential move to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is Rafa Marin?

Marin is a centre-back who currently plies his trade at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium having graduated from his club’s academy to get promoted to Real Madrid Castilla – Real's B side – back in 2021, where he’s been a regular feature ever since.

The Spain youth international played 3,510 minutes of football last season which was about 400 more than any other member of Raul’s squad, as per Transfermarkt, and his consistent performances, playing 90 minutes in every single match, appear to have caught the eye of Mauricio Pochettino.

The Blues will be in the market for defensive reinforcements having lost Kalidou Koulibaly to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal, and the 21-year-old could be available for a cut-price with his contract expiring next summer, something which has alerted chiefs at Stamford Bridge.

Are Chelsea signing Marin?

According to Spanish outlet AS (via Sport Witness), Chelsea are “keeping close tabs” on Marin as they weigh up whether to make an official approach this summer. With Real Madrid Castilla recently having failed to achieve promotion to the third tier, the defender has made it his “aim to leave” this window, and should that be the case, he won’t “lack proposals”.

The Blues and RB Leipzig are the two clubs “paying the most attention” to their target, so this could be one to watch closely in the weeks ahead.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea and Pochettino will understandably be assessing the centre-back options that are out there, but Marin isn’t yet ready to make the required step up so Todd Boehly should avoid signing him unless it's for an absolutely minimal fee.

The youngster has made zero senior appearances for Real Madrid so whilst he’s been impressing in the youth setup, Carlo Ancelotti and the rest of his management team clearly don’t feel he’s at the stage of his career to take on the first-team challenge.

The 6 foot 2 colossus also wouldn’t provide any real versatility having only operated at left-back on six occasions throughout his career outside of his natural role so it would be extremely difficult for him to receive regular minutes when competition for places is so high.

Therefore, Chelsea should turn their attention towards defensive targets who have a lot more experience under their belt and have proven themselves at the highest level, so that they can meet the standard of quality that is likely to be expected of them under the new manager next season.

United miss out on "Destroyer" Due To Takeover

Manchester United could have been in for England international Declan Rice if the proposed “takeover had actually happened”, believes transfer insider Dean Jones.

The West Ham United captain has been linked to multiple clubs over the last few months, but United have been notably absent from rumours.

Manchester United transfer news – What’s the latest on Declan Rice?

Rice’s expected departure from the Hammers was confirmed in the aftermath of the team’s historic Europa Conference League win earlier this month when chairman David Sullivan told the media his player was promised he could leave.

The club most heavily linked to the Kingston upon Thames-born player has been Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

declan rice

The Gunners have made two bids for the player so far, with the second offer of £90m being rejected by the east London club as they look to get the maximum they can for their prized asset.

Worse still, the Red Devils’ cross-city rivals Manchester City have entered the race, with David Ornstein reporting that this morning the club is “expected to submit an offer for Declan Rice today [Thursday].”

Where, in all of this, have United been?

The club do have the imperious Casemiro as their starting number six, but with Scott McTominay not being of the required level and few other options, a player like Rice could be transformative for the side.

What did transfer insider Dean Jones say about Declan Rice to Manchester United?

Jones was very quick to point out that the process of the potential takeover has thrown a spanner in many of United’s transfer plans, including any plans they may have had for Rice.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: “I don’t think they’re in the race for Rice right now. I think in an ideal world, they would be, maybe if the takeover had actually happened, they could have been. But as it stands right now, don’t think Rice is going to come into their thoughts.”

Would Declan Rice have been a good transfer for Manchester United?

The £60k-per-week West Ham captain is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after midfielders in the league – hence all the interest from other clubs – and for that reason, he would surely have improved United.

There is an argument that the England international wouldn’t get into the team as an out-and-out defensive midfielder due to the immense performances of Casemiro last season.

However, he could have performed well as a number eight whilst the Brazilian was still a part of the team.

West Ham United'sDeclanRicecelebrates

Last season the Irons “destroyer”, as labelled by ex-Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson, achieved an average match rating of 7.01 across his 37 Premier League appearances, just slightly below the Brazilians’ 7.17, per WhoScored.

His underlying numbers are equally impressive.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe’s top five leagues, Rice was in the top 5% for interceptions, the top 15% for progressive carries – suggesting he could fulfil the eight role – and the top 19% for pass completion, all per 90.

The United faithful will surely feel even more ire for their owners if they have missed out on a player of Rice’s quality due to the circus surrounding the takeover.

Aston Villa Transfer News: Emery Eyeing £4k-p/w Wonderkid

Aston Villa are eyeing a move for rising Japan star Keito Nakamura, but NSWE will have to fend off a mega transfer battle to get a deal done this summer, report The Daily Mail.

What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?

Unai Emery is expected to go on somewhat of a shopping spree in the current transfer window, with the Villans set for a challenging 2023/24 campaign in four competitions, having secured UEFA Europa Conference League qualification on the final day of the season.

NSWE are reportedly happy to back their manager with some serious funds, and they’ve made a positive start already by bringing in Leicester City and Belgium star Youri Tielemans.

The Villans are clearly seeking more midfield reinforcements though, considering they are also linked with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Manu Kone, and The Daily Mail are now reporting another new target.

According to the newspaper, NSWE are battling with Liverpool, Burnley, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Monchengladbach, Lille, Reims, Lyon and Feyenoord for LASK star Nakamura, and the player is expected to jump to a new club this summer.

Who is Keito Nakamura?

The 22 year-old, who plays as an attacking midfielder or as one of the wide roles in 4-2-3-1 formation, has burst onto the scene in the Austrian Bundesliga this season, scoring 14 times and providing seven assists in 31 league appearances, adding another three goals in cup competitions and finding the net once in two Japan caps.

His importance in his side’s Europa League qualification has apparently sparked the mass interest from across the continent, and it’s easy to see why when hearing from people who have seen the youngster play.

The £4,000-p/w Nakamura led all Japanese players in Europe aged 26 and under for direct goal contributions this season – beating the likes of Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma – and talent scout Jacek Kulig believes he’s a “brilliant” prospect who has been “absolutely on fire” throughout this season.

Given the rise of Japanese players throughout Europe’s top leagues in the last few seasons, with Mitoma shining in the Premier League, Celtic utilising several Japan internationals and Daichi Kamada thriving in the Bundesliga, Villa could certainly strike lucky by taking a dip into a previously underappreciated market.

Tottenham Could Bin Davies For "Quality" £1.2m Sensation

Tottenham Hotspur are now looking forward to a new era under incoming boss, Ange Postecoglou, with the 57-year-old set to take charge at N17 after catching the eye following his impressive work at Old Firm giants, Celtic in recent seasons.

Having won five trophies during a glittering two-year spell at Parkhead, the experienced coach has been tasked with the job of trying to revive the fortunes of the north London outfit next term and beyond, with the Lilywhites still reeling from a disappointing 2022/23 campaign that ended with a dismal, eighth-place finish.

Amid that search for improvement in his new home, recent reports have suggested that Postecoglou could be ready to spark something of a mass clearout at the club over the coming weeks, with the veteran duo of Ivan Perisic and Hugo Lloris leading the list of those who could depart.

Among those who may also be shown the door is long-serving defender, Ben Davies, with the Wales international – who signed from Swansea City back in 2014 – potentially set to be moved on if bids are to arrive this summer.

This follows a recent report that suggested Daniel Levy and co were willing to sanction the 30-year-old's exit for a fee of around £15m, with the 77-cap dud having formed part of a backline that shipped 63 Premier League goals this season – the sixth-worst record in the division.

As pundit Gabby Agbonlahor suggested, a departure for Davies could well be in the best interests of the club, with the versatile full-back having been "struggling to put in top performances", as he simply "just isn’t good enough any more."

With Postecoglou likely to need to find an "upgrade" – as per Agbonlahor – or a more youthful replacement for the £80k-per-week man, then the Greek-Aussie should look no further than reported target, Thierry Small.

Who is Thierry Small?

According to Football Insider, Spurs are set to make a fresh approach for the Southampton teenager ahead of next season, having previously seen an offer of around £800k rejected by the Saints back in January.

The piece adds that the newly-relegated side had been looking for closer to £1.2m at the time, with Levy and co now seemingly ready to make a 'new offer' in order to prise the 18-year-old from St Mary's.

The signing of the England youth international could well be the long-term solution at left-back that Spurs are in need of, with the "quality" gem – as previously hailed by ex-Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti – able to take Davies' place moving forward.

Ange Postecoglou

The former Toffees ace – who made the move to the south coast back in 2021 – showed his defensive prowess while on loan at St Mirren in the second half of the campaign after averaging 1.3 tackles per game, with that a superior record to what Davies averaged in the Premier League (0.9).

Equally, it is young Small who also appears to offer more in attack, with the 5 foot 10 starlet having averaged one key pass per game as a marker of his creative talent, while Davies averaged just 0.6 key passes in that time.

That would suggest that despite his inexperience, the youngster has the makings to be a real star of the future in the game, hence just why it would be wise for Postecoglou to push for a move.

As such, after 311 games for the club, it could be time for Davies to seek out pastures new…

Tottenham In Contact To Sign "Untouchable" 24 y/o

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly ‘intensified’ their contacts over a potential summer move for AS Roma defender Roger Ibanez.

What’s the latest Tottenham transfer news?

Spurs officials appear to be hard at work in the transfer window after finally bringing their managerial search to an end by appointing Ange Postecoglou last week.

Reports have suggested that personal terms with Brentford goalkeeper David Raya have been agreed, however, the two clubs still need to shake hands on a transfer fee.

Elsewhere, English trio James Maddison, Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho have also been linked with a move to north London. However, it does look as if Tottenham chiefs are also looking abroad when it comes to potential additions, with Ibanez another target.

Recent reports from Italy suggested that Spurs have been handed a boost in their attempts to sign Ibanez, with Roma lowering their asking price, and it looks as if Tottenham could soon make their move.

Sport Witness relayed an update from Italian website Roma Giallorossa on Monday regarding Spurs and Ibanez. They claimed that Tottenham have ‘intensified’ their contacts in the ‘last few hours’, saying that an official offer ‘within a few days’ is now a possibility.

Postecoglou is thought to be an admirer of the defender, and a bid from Spurs in the region of €25m and €30m could be enough to sign him.

Roma's Roger Ibanez

Who is Roger Ibanez?

Ibanez is primarily a centre-back but can also play as a right-back or even as a holding midfielder, so could provide plenty of versatility to Postecoglou’s squad, should a move get over the line.

The 24-year-old appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high €30m Transfermarkt valuation and has won senior two caps for Brazil.

In total, Ibanez has made 149 senior appearances for Roma, contributing to 11 goals. As per WhoScored, the defender was Roma’s fourth-best player during the 2022/23 season, as per WhoScored, outperforming Spurs defenders Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Clement Lenglet and Davison Sanchez.

Therefore, with Spurs conceding the most Premier League goals last season in the top 14 sides (63), you could argue that a new defender is needed. Someone like Ibanez, who is seemingly at the top of his game and has been lauded as "untouchable" by former Spurs head coach Jose Mourinho, could be a shrewd addition, and with Postecoglou a fan, it appears as if a transfer is one to watch.

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