Spurs may part with £35m for the wrong Porto striker
Published:A lack of goals was one of the reasons Tottenham failed to make the Champions League cut last season, so manager Harry Redknapp will want to avoid falling into the same trap this time around.
Spurs’ top four ambitions have therefore forced them to turn their attentions to signing Porto’s Brazilian striker Hulk; a player who scored 36 goals in Portugal last term.
Not only was his scoring record impressive, Hulk also created 21 goals for his teammates during a campaign which saw a clean sweep of trophies for the Portuguese side.
The benefit of this goal threat is something Redknapp is fully aware must be added to the White Hart Lane ranks if they are to compete with Arsenal, and free spending Manchester City and Liverpool for the coveted Champions League places.
According to reports, Chairman Daniel Levy has already been in talks with the player’s representatives as Spurs look to beat the likes of City to his signature.
A bizarre £88million release clause exists in the Brazilian’s contract in Portugal, but it is thought £35million would be enough to convince the Europa League champions to sell.
Paying that sort of money would cause Spurs to smash their record transfer fee of £17million paid for David Bentley in 2008. Hulk’s reportedly relatively low salary would however, fit exactly into Spurs’ wage structure.
The only potential stumbling block for the deal would occur if Porto sell Radamel Falcao to Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid this week.
If Falcao is to make the move to Spain, the Portuguese club may be reluctant to let two of their most influential players leave at the same time.
While Hulk’s goalscoring record last season is impressive, Spurs should be battling the Spanish sides for the signing of Falcao and with 73 goals in 86 appearances for Porto, not only is Falcao a better goalscorer but he’s more consistent.
Prior to last season Hulk had managed just 19 goals in 75 appearances for Porto and it’s the signature of the Colombian who clubs should be clamouring over.
