From being a colossal English outfit to being a trophyless roster, Tottenham Hotspurs’ decline in quality and the continuous silverware drought has started frustrating the spectators at Wembley. With Harry Kane’s willingness to leave, Jose Mourinho’s disastrous departure, and Spurs’ trophy cabinet picking up dust, the North London club are looking for a revamp. With numerous options available, Tottenham Hotspurs will have to figure out their transfer targets and bolster their roster.
Nuno Espirito Santos will be seen donning the managerial coat at Wembley this Premier League campaign and if the Portuguese grandmaster has to satisfy Spurs’ quench for silverware, he has to be particular and precisive when shopping during the summer window.
We at FootTheBall take a look at who could be the transfer targets for Tottenham Hotspurs before the English carnival kick-off.
PRIORITY NO. 1: CENTRE-BACK
IDEAL OPTION – CRISTIAN ROMERO
He is a defender that enjoys dribbling when given the opportunity, which may be effective in pushing Spurs forward with deadly poachers Harry Kane and Heung Min Son prepared to pounce on the slightest of opportunities. He enjoys tackling more than the ordinary centre-back and is very good at it.
Though he occasionally misjudges his challenges and commits a charge, sometimes in risky situations, he is a fantastic defender. He has succeeded in Atalanta’s man-oriented defensive schemes because of his combative approach to the game.
Tottenham have an agreement on personal terms with Argentinian centre back Cristian Romero until June 2026. It’s not true that the player is refusing Spurs. ⚪️🇦🇷 #THFC
Tottenham and Atalanta are now negotiating on the fee – still no agreement reached, talks on.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 22, 2021
Romero is frequently charged with tracking an opposing attacker and subsequently nullifying his rivals with his toughness, pace, and match analysis. Romero has developed into one of Serie A’s most promising centre-backs. He is a strong, quick, and quick-witted defender who has demonstrated a strong desire to compete at the highest level in the world of football.
Before he can make the move up, he needs to develop his distribution and the regularity with which he commits mistakes. Currently, Romero is being poached by Daniel Levy and his hot form after winning the South American crown makes him one of the crucial transfer targets for Tottenham Hotspurs.
BUDGET OPTION – OZAN KABAK
Turkish defender Ozan Kabak could satisfy Spurs’ defensive conundrum if Daniel Levy manages to land the youngster at Wembley. The 21-year-old has a price tag of 8 million pounds attached to his name, and with the glittering CV of Kabak, Nuno’s backline can be bolstered at a cheap price.
Kabak came as an emergency signing after Liverpool started losing out defenders owing to injuries and although the youngster had a nervy campaign, he looked settled in pivotal battles. Kabak and Phillips formed a formidable partnership for the Reds’ negating Old Trafford’s forward battery in the clash of the titans.
So, to begin on a good tone Spurs would have a centre-back who isn’t sluggish, providing them with the assurance of protection against the counter-attacks when they’re on the assault. Besides his muscular abilities, Kabak’s relentless rushing is one of his distinguishing characteristics as he is not reluctant to run out from his position and terminate attackers when he believes it is essential.
This is a blessing and a curse in many respects, as it occasionally kills opportunities by pinching them in infancy, but it also leaves yawning spaces in the backline for opposing midfield players to penetrate. Kabak could easily march into the catalogue of transfer targets of Tottenham Hotspurs.
FTB’S QUIRKY OPTION – ALESSIO ROMAGNOLI
AC Milan’s leader of the pack, Italian defender Alessio Romagnoli might soon be seen departing from San Siro. After enjoying a sparkling career with the Rossoneri, the veteran defender has been replaced by younger and electrifying options in Italy.
Although Romagnoli’s and Kjaer’s partnership is the one to be blamed for the former’s dipping form. The Italian is a composed customer when a rival charges in and doesn’t prefer galloping in unnecessarily.
If Romagnoli arrives at Spurs, he could establish a complimentary partnership with Toby Alderwerield or if Spurs’ sweep in Romero, the Argentine and the Italian would consist of a brick wall standing in front of Hugo Lloris. Romagnoli will go after any pass he can get his hands on.
In threatening areas, he is not hesitant to crawl in and time a challenge to perfection, and he frequently breaks up movement near the goalmouth. It isn’t, however, a senseless, hopeless attempt. Romagnoli’s style of play has a deliberate element to it.
The defensive rock knows how to transport the contest from defence to attack by either playing mouth-watering deliveries for his forward battery or by darting upfront. An ideal option for Spurs, Romagnoli knows how to lead his troops and could be seen donning the captain’s armband if Harry Kane finds shelter somewhere else.
PRIORITY NO. 2 – CREATIVE MIDFIELDER
IDEAL OPTION – MIKKEL DAMSGAARD
Cristian Eriksen’s departure and Dele Alli’s disastrous outing resulted in Jose Mourinho shopping for a handful of midfield options. Although Lo Celso and Harry Winks were added to Spurs’ iconic roster, the duo lacked flamboyance and creativity. Harry Kane was forced to drop down the pitch and magically weave opportunities for himself or his striking partners.
But Mikkel Damsgaard’s emergence at the European carnival this summer proved why he could solve Nuno’s midfield headaches. He explores pockets of spaces behind defences, steams at the rivals, and bashes thunderous strikes troubling goalkeepers. The swashbuckling midfielder floors defenders with his trickery and could create a galaxy of chances for Kane and Son to pounce on.
Introducing: MIKKEL DAMSGAARD!#ForDanmark #EURO2020 #DEN pic.twitter.com/43LRTOZB9D
— DBU – En Del Af Noget Større (@DBUfodbold) June 21, 2021
“I’ve always played in midfield so it was new enough for me to be a forward. Kasper Wheelman wanted me to play like a ‘false nine’ and I liked the new position. There I had the opportunity to step back onto the pitch and receive the ball on the frontline,” he said.
BUDGET OPTION – MARTIN ODEGAARD
A devious midfielder, Martin Odegaard has already stamped his authority in England after enjoying a delicious campaign at the Emirates last summer.
The Norweigan generated chance after chance for Aubameyang and Lacazette and looked defensively stable as well. The ex-gunner smashed a tremendous rocket against Spurs last season, and with Odegaard’s quality already been seen, he could be a budget-buy for Wembley.
A sparkling transfer target for Tottenham Hotspurs, Odegaard’s adventurous playing style confuses defenders with Harry Kane already giving them headaches. Lo Celso and Harry Winks could provide defensive stability to Nuno with the Norweigan prodigy charging forward constantly fabricating chances for himself.
Odegaard is a great, technically talented central midfielder with extraordinary talent and awareness. He is lethal when he is seeded in behind a target man, which appears to be his favourite position.
He tears apart the opposition with perfectly placed deliveries and lightning-quick sprints into the goalmouth. Both with and without the ball, he possesses a high degree of knowledge and comprehension. Spurs would look to cushion their roster with Odegaard’s iconic presence in their battalion.
FOOTTHEBALL’S QUIRKY OPTION – PHILLIPE COUTINHO
Liverpool’s colossal midfielder, Phillipe Coutinho’s enormous price tag of 142 million pounds saw the Brazilian succumb under boundless pressure after he arrives at Camp Nou. Injuries and shambolic outings clouded his tenure at Barcelona, with the Catalans now looking to offload him off their roster. But Barcelona’s unfortunate loss could be Tottenham Hotspur’s triumph if the Brazilian decides to reunite with the Premier League.
Coutinho showed at Merseyside why he could effortlessly dictate the midfield, play electrifying passes, and then smash a curler with his right foot to rattle the rival’s frame. Not an easy transfer target to acquire, Tottenham Hotspurs could go all guns blazing to secure Coutinho’s signature.
Barcelona’s financial situation is drowning day-by-day and Coutinho could be sold to Spurs at a reasonable price. If the Brazilian is given time under new Portuguese wizard Nuno Espirito Santos, those curling rockets could force themselves back into the English league.
