Opinion: What is left for Spurs in the remainder of the Transfer Window?
The exciting announcements of both Dominic Solanke and Wilson Odobert in quick succession in the past week make up Tottenham’s third and fourth signings of the window. Despite this, many Spurs fans have been left restless by the club’s transfer activity during the window so far.
“Everyone wants to get business done early…”
Solanke’s signature came just over five weeks after the acquisition of 18-year-old starlet Archie Gray from Leeds United, meaning Tottenham went around 35 days of the transfer window without signing a player for the first-team this season.
This comes despite Ange Postecoglou highlighting how “important” early business was following Spurs’ post-season friendly against Newcastle United (football.london).
With Postecoglou hoping for early business along with the uncharacteristically swift movement of Spurs in the previous two windows, it wasn’t too outrageous for Tottenham fans to get excited at the prospect of July business.
This, of course, wasn’t the case. It must be noted that every club had to deal with a summer filled with international tournaments, obviously delaying prospective transfer talks. But with both Euros and Copa America finals finishing in mid-July, it is just over a month since European and South American internationals left their national squads at the very latest.
It’s fair to say that Tottenham left themselves with work to do.
Unfinished Business
Tottenham haven’t had the worst preseason by any stretch of the imagination. They didn’t face any level of disruption as they did last summer, they have managed to continue their disposal of players that are no longer of use to the club quite effectively, and an impressive number of youth prospects have shone throughout their pre-season fixtures.
But the departure of multiple squad members, along with certain in-game performances has made it evident that the squad is missing a few puzzle pieces before it can be seriously deemed competitive.
Typical transfer window rumours and reports have blurred the lines between what areas of the squad seemingly want to reinforce and where the fans would like to see be reinforced.
For example, following the long-anticipated departure of Emerson Royal to AC Milan, reports began circulating that Tottenham were in talks with Monaco for a £40 million move for right-back Vanderson by Brazilian journalist Bruno Andrade, which confused many, to say the least. This rumour has since been deemed “wide of the mark by football.london’s Alasdair Gold who says that area isn’t deemed a priority.
With just over two weeks until the transfer window slams shut, here are a few areas Tottenham may strengthen before September:
Spurs of course have managed to bolster their wide areas this weekend with the £25 million signing of Wilson Odobert from Burnley (BBC).
There were multiple bright attacking performances from Spurs over the preseason, scoring 17 goals in six official matches (GOAL). Heung Min Son and Dejan Kulusevski have looked sharp over the last few weeks, and the signing of Solanke will no doubt add to the team’s goalscoring threat.
However, many felt Spurs were a name short on their options out wide. When called upon, Timo Werner has made some tidy displays over preseason while Brennan Johnson has had more of a quiet time on the right wing.
Mikey Moore’s exciting emergence adds to Spurs’ options, but the squad could benefit from another quick-footed winger, confident on the ball while taking on opponents. Odobert will no doubt be a strong addition to the squad, bagging five league goals and assists in his debut season in England (Premier League).
Journalist Liam Keen claims that Tottenham had an offer for former Wolves winger Pedro Neto before his eventual £50 million move to Chelsea (transfermrkt).
The name that had followed Tottenham all summer long is Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, but reports suggest that a complicated release clause and interest from Manchester City hindered the possibility of this deal (GiveMeSport). With all this in mind, it seems Johan Lange and Postecoglou have finally got their man in Odobert.
Another area in which Spurs may add to before transfer deadline day is the midfield. The futures of both Giovanni Lo Celso and Oliver Skipp remain uncertain, and both their departures could occur within the next few weeks (football.london). Pair this with Pierre Emile Hojberg’s move to Marseille earlier in the window, there is certainly room for the signature of a versatile midfielder at Tottenham.
As this is being written, Conor Gallagher’s move to Atletico Madrid is still up in the air following deal disagreements between the Spanish side and Chelsea. Gallagher’s name has long been linked to Spurs since Postecoglou arrived, and these complications could’ve opened one last opportunity for Tottenham to clinch the signature of the 24-year-old, but the deal with Atletico seems to be smoothing out.
Other names such as Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey, who Johan Lange has admired from his days at the Birmingham outfit, have been thrown around all Summer (GiveMeSport). But reports now suggest Tottenham may be “plotting” a £20 million move for Juventus’ Manuel Locatelli (Football Insider)
The left-hand side of defence is another area Spurs may focus on for the remainder of the window. With the expected departure of Sergio Regulion, it leaves Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies as Tottenham’s current left-back options.
19-year-old Jamie Donley had been featuring at left-back for Spurs during pre-season, but has since been rewarded with a valuable loan move to Leyton Orient. Names are harder to come by in this area of the pitch, as Tottenham may seek a player comfortable at both full-back and centre-half to increase coverage in the backline.
Transfer windows are notoriously hard to call with fresh rumours emerging almost every day, but I don’t we can be certain that Tottenham’s work in this window is over.
The post Opinion: What is left for Spurs in the remainder of the Transfer Window? appeared first on The Spurs Web - Tottenham Hotspur Football News.