Manchester United’s star is being disregarded as Tottenham prepares a game-changing double swoop that will see three players forced out.
Tottenham are looking for two new centre-backs, and after narrowing down their options, a Manchester United target Erik ten Hag has been passed over, according to sources.
Last season, Spurs surrendered 63 goals in the Premier League alone. who was the division’s sixth-worst mark, with teams who conceded more finishing 15th, 16th, 18th, 19th, and 20th.
Change is clearly needed, and the first step will be the tactical shift implemented by new boss Ange Postecoglou.
When using his standard 4-3-3 formation, the ex-Celtic manager is likely to switch from a back five to a back four.
Postecoglou will be in charge of an increase in energy from front to back, and the Australian also prefers a possession-based system.
As a result, having centre-halves who are exceptionally comfortable on the ball is essential. To that aim, a new center-half or two was always a possibility this summer.
According to Football London, Postecoglou will be allowed to sign two new centre-backs, and the target list appears to be down to three candidates.
Marc Guehi and Harry Maguire had been linked with Spurs early in the transfer window. Indeed, both the Daily Mail and the Telegraph reported last month that Tottenham was interested in Maguire.
With money tight at Old Trafford this summer, ESPN stated that Erik ten Hag is willing to sell the England international. This would increase the club’s transfer budget, with a dream triple coup involving Andre Onana, Mason Mount, and Harry Kane desired.
However, when it comes to who Tottenham are interested in, Maguire was not mentioned once in Football London’s report.
Instead, Spurs are interested in Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen), Micky van de Ven (Wolfsburg), and Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham).
According to the article, Tottenham’s summer targets include “a new goalkeeper, two central defenders, a central attacking midfielder, and a young winger.”
Guglielmo Vicario has checked the first box, and James Maddison has joined the team as a playmaker. The focus will now go to revamping the defense, with two players from Adarabioyo, Van de Ven, and Tapsoba being sought.
All three are seen to match nicely with Postecoglou’s tactical requirements. They’re all comfortable in possession, quick, good in the air, and powerful in one-on-one battles.
Price tags revealed; three to be axed
When Arsenal inquired about Tapsoba in January 2022, they were quoted a fee of £60 million. Van de ven is projected to cost Wolfsburg approximately €30 million (£26 million).
Meanwhile, Adarabioyo, who is in the final year of his contract with Fulham, may be the cheapest of the bunch.
Davinson Sanchez, Joe Rodon, and Japhet Tanganga may be out of a job if Spurs sign two new centre-halves, according to Football London.Tanganga is said to be on Atalanta’s radar, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Cristian Romero is secure, and Eric Dier will be retained despite having only one year left on his contract.
Rather than letting Dier go. Why not CHANGE his role and convert him into a bustling No 9