How Tottenham could line up with Aaron Ramsey and Thiago Silva if Jose Mourinho lands summer transfer targets
THE suspension of the Premier League season wasn’t too much of a disappointment for some Tottenham fans, having been in the midst of a dreadful run of performances.
But with Harry Kane, Steven Bergwijn and Son Heung-min now back from injury, some of the hardier supporters will be defiant in their assertion that the team can quickly turn the corner.
Most, however, feel that a big overhaul is needed – with the current squad feeling disjointed and poorly assembled over the last few years since the team peaked under Mauricio Pochettino in 2017.
Whether or not Jose Mourinho is the man for the job remains to be seen, but the Portuguese will be hoping to make more of his own additions to the squad, having signed Bergwijn and Gedson Fernandes in January.
The budget is set to be far tighter than that he had to work with at Manchester United, however, with the club’s board having taken out a £175million bank loan in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
But with the likes of Thiago Silva and Aaron Ramsey being linked with cut-price deals – Mourinho, 57, will still look to make moves in the upcoming transfer window.
Skipper Hugo Lloris’ last couple of seasons have been riddled with errors, but is regarded as a key figure behind the scenes at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and will remain between the sticks.
More of a priority area than goalkeeper will be right-back. Despite Serge Aurier having improved this season, he is still erratic and unreliable.
Norwich’s Max Aarons is on their radar, and they will be hoping to scoop the 20-year-old Londoner should the bottom-of-the-table Canaries be relegated.
Jan Vertonghen looks likely to depart on a free transfer after eight years of magnificent service this summer.
While Davinson Sanchez has broadly played fairly well this season, Spurs are reportedly looking at an audacious move for soon-to-be free agent Thiago Silva.
The Brazilian is 35 and past his best, but has been one of the best defenders of his generation while at Paris Saint-Germain and has ample trophy-winning experience.
Ben Davies was labelled the “most important” player in Mourinho’s preferred system at Spurs by the man himself – and looks set to start at left-back, fitness permitting.
Ruben Neves is believed to be on the club’s radar, as a player represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes – who also boasts Mourinho himself as a client.
Former Gunners hero Ramsey has been linked with a shock move from Juventus – and could flank the Portuguese ace should Spurs somehow pull off both swoops.
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To Neves’ left, Spurs could deploy Giovani Lo Celso – with the Argentine having been a rare shining light in a bleak season in N17.
Steven Bergwijn showed encouraging signs following his January switch from PSV, with his debut strike against Manchester City the undoubted highlight.
And fans will be praying for the fitness of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, with the talismanic pair crucial going forward for the Lilywhites.
