Tottenham to rival Liverpool in race for Lazio’s star winger
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Tottenham have been relatively quiet so far this summer, but that could be set to change.
The weekend’s press have Mauricio Pochettino’s side lining up a move for Lazio’s star man Keita Balde.
Liverpool and Everton are among the other Premier League sides interested.
Balde enjoyed a breakout season in Rome last term, firing in 16 goals and five assists from just 31 Serie A appearances.
And he ended the campaign in sensational fashion, with eight goals (including a five-minute hat-trick) and two assists from his final five appearances.
He spent seven years in the Barcelona youth academy – playing alongside Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin, among others.
And still only 22-years-old, the Senegal international is only set to get better.
But Lazio are in a spot of bother, with Balde’s contract expiring next summer.
Currently valued at £21.25m by transfermarkt.co.uk, Lazio could yet cash in to the tune of around £35m.
Balde’s primary position is on the left-wing, but can play on the right or in the centre, behind the striker.
And it’s that valuable flexibility which makes him a prime target for Liverpool and Tottenham.
Both sides are looking to find extra depth and quality as they prepare for Champions League football.
It remains to be seen who wins out, but it looks unlikely that Everton will be able to muscle their way in.
The potential knockout blow for all three Premier League outfits however, is that it’s believed the player himself is pining his hopes on an offer from Juventus.
Stay tuned.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
