Double blow for Spurs as Belgian pair’s moves get complicated
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With only young defensive pair Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier signed up by Spurs so far this summer, boss Mauricio Pochettino needs a few more new faces, particularly in attack, if the Lilywhites are to make a 13/2 return to the Premier League’s top four next term.
The north Londoners have been linked with moves for a number of centre-forwards, including QPR’s Charlie Austin, Juventus’ Fernando Llorente and Monaco’s Anthony Martial, but the latter’s wide-forward teammate Yannick Ferreira Carrasco seems to have become Pochettino’s top target.
Spurs have lacked pace in wide areas since Gareth Bale’s £80m-plus switch to Real Madrid two years ago, with the likes of Andros Townsend, Aaron Lennon and Erik Lamela proving poor replacements for the Welsh international.
However, having started the bidding for the Belgian at £10m, White Hart Lane supremo Daniel Levy must now reassess his option as Monaco reportedly want almost twice that.
The principality outfit were rumoured to value Ferreira Carrasco at around £16m, but with Arsenal also thought to be in the frame for his signature, according to the Metro, as well as a number of Italian clubs, Monaco are now holding out for £18m, or so says the Daily Star.
What would have felt like a positive weekend for Pochettino and co got worse with the news that centre-half Toby Alderweireld’s proposed move from Atletico Madrid could face a legal challenge from Southampton, where Ferreira Carrasco’s fellow Belgium international spent last season on loan.
Last season’s eighth-place Premier League side believe the deadline has passed for Los Colchoneros to activate a buy-back clause in Alderweireld’s loan deal, meaning the 26-year-old’s permanent £6.8m switch to St Mary’s must go through by law.
Expect this one to run for a while, although Saints boss Ronald Koeman will struggle to force Alderweireld’s transfer if the player wishes to swap the south coast for north London.
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