Spurs eye £18m Monaco hotshot to bolster their forward line
Published:
After moving early to secure the service of centre-back Kevin Wimmer, Tottenham Hotspur’s second signing of the summer could well be another bright young thing from Europe.
Monaco forward Anthony Martial is likely to be on the radars on several top clubs after excelling for the Ligue 1 side last term, scoring 11 times in all competitions.
The 19-year-old bagged nine in the French top flight, with eight of those coming in the final 12 matches of the season as he established himself as a starter in Leonardo Jardim’s side.
Only seven players aged 21 and under managed a more impressive tally than Martial in Europe’s five major leagues, and it’s worth noting that the Monaco man played fewer minutes than any of those who were more prolific.
One of those players was, of course, Spurs’ very own Harry Kane, whose 21-goal haul in the Premier League put him six clear at the top of the goal-scoring charts for U21 players.
Mauricio Pochettino had to rely heavily on the youngster due to Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor’s continuing mediocrity, and will be desperate to improve his attacking options ahead of next season.
With the Argentine seeming to prefer working with young, hungry players rather than jaded veterans, the Lilywhites have adjusted their approach in the transfer market accordingly.
Wimmer very much fits the bill, and Martial would be another step in this direction – a player happy to fit into Pochettino’s energetic pressing style who can operate in a number of different roles.
The Monaco youngster can play on either flank or through the centre, meaning he could fit into a side alongside Kane as well as acting as his deputy to reduce the workload on the Englishman’s shoulders.
Martial’s mooted £18m price-tag is testament to the potential he has already shown at Monaco, and likely to only rise if he stays at the Stade Louis II for another season.
After pipping Liverpool to fifth place in the Premier League this year, Spurs are 5/1 to go one better and claim a Champions League spot next term.
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