Tottenham Hotspur are in the race for a “sensational” Champions League-winning defender, with Thomas Frank’s side identifying a number of centre-backs as targets before the upcoming deadline.
Spurs eyeing move to sign new centre-back
With the transfer deadline now rapidly approaching, it could be a frantic end to the window for Tottenham, and a new attacking midfielder is still of interest, having recently accelerated talks to sign West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta.
However, Spurs have also set their sights on strengthening at the opposite end of the pitch, with Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji emerging as a major target, having recently submitted a £17m bid for the Switzerland international.
Frank is already relatively well-stocked in the centre-back department, recently saying: “We have right now three centre backs: Micky, Romero, [Kevin] Danso,”
“Ben can play there if necessary. We have Kota the young central defender we bought this summer and is running now and training with the team next week. Or training with the ball, there’s not many left behind.
“And then Dragusin is coming back in a couple of months, so I think that should be enough.”
However, there is a feeling that bringing in another defender still remains on the agenda, and a report from Sky Sports has now revealed that Tottenham are in the race for Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez.
Earlier this summer, there were reports the Reds could be willing to cash-in on Gomez for £25m, but they are now believed to be reluctant to sanction a departure, amid rival interest from Crystal Palace and AC Milan, with the Italian side making a permanent offer.
That said, there is a feeling that Frank has now cooled his interest in signing a new defender, so it remains to be seen whether a deal is a possibility.
"Sensational" Gomez could be fantastic back-up option for Spurs
The English defender has remained a dependable back-up option for Liverpool over the years, making 242 appearances for the Reds, during which time he has won two Premier League titles and a Champions League.
The 28-year-old has been lauded as “sensational” by reporter Declan Carr during his time with the Reds, and he has continued to put in some impressive defensive performances over the past year, while also looking solid in possession of the ball.
Statistic
Average per 90
Tackles
2.05 (87th percentile)
Blocks
1.77 (91st percentile)
Passes attempted
73.91 (89th percentile)
Progressive passes
6.27 (95th percentile)
That said, the centre-back would perhaps be a strange addition to Frank’s squad, given that he would be unlikely to displace the likes of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero in the starting line-up.
Gomez already plays a bit-part role at Liverpool, where he has regularly won trophies, so it would be an odd decision to move to north London and play in the same role, given that Tottenham don’t have the same recent record of success, despite their Europa League triumph.