da roleta： With just one fixture of the Premier League season remaining – and only north London bragging rights left to play for – the summer transfer window is starting to loom over Tottenham Hotspur.
da lvbet： It remains one of incredible intrigus. Will Champions League football grant Spurs access to a higher calibre of player in the transfer market? Will some of the world’s top talents be drawn to working under the increasingly impressive Mauricio Pochettino? Will the Argentine actually look to take advantage by spending big, or will he maintain the club’s current strategy of recruiting youth?
As a consequence, the tabloids are overflowing with tales of who the north London club will try to sign this summer. So many, in fact, that we’ve been able to create a select Xi from rumoured Spurs transfer targets.
Mixed with established stars, bargain buys and some of Europe’s most exciting youngsters, Tottenham’s transfer target Xi would set them back an incredible £229million – not that we’re expecting the White Hart Lane outfit to sign all of them this summer!
GOALKEEPER – BERND LENO
Should Tottenham Hotspur be forced to sell Hugo Lloris this summer, the tabloids have already mooted a potential replacement in Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno. The 24-year-old is enjoying another decent campaign between the Bay Arena sticks, claiming 69 saves in 31 Bundesliga appearances alongside twelve clean sheet – the second-most of any goalkeeper throughout the division.
But the Lilywhites were linked with the German shot-stopper amid news of a £12.5million release clause that has now expired. Acquiring him during the summer transfer window could well require paying around double that sum.
RIGHT-BACK – MARC BARTRA
Slotting in at right-back for this select Xi is centre-half Marc Bartra, whose Barcelona career looks set to come to an end this summer after being issued just six starts in La Liga and the Champions League combined.
Indeed, the 25-year-old hasn’t progressed as expected since making his debut for the Catalans in 2010 but he’s nonetheless a very talented defender with La Masia pedigree. The Nou Camp outfit reportedly value the Spain international at just under £10million and Tottenham are one of the clubs in the frame to seal his signature along with Manchester United.
CENTRE-BACK – SHKODRAN MUSTAFI
Although it seems unlikely Spurs will disrupt the formidable centre-back partnership of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld this summer, the north London club are reportedly in contention to snap up £25million-rated Valencia centre-half Skhodran Mustafi.
The German international has lifted the World Cup and emerged as one of the most exciting young defenders in world football since failing to make the grade at former club Everton. Following yet another solid campaign at the heart of the Valencia defence, it’s likely the 24-year-old will be on the move at the end of the campaign.
CENTRE-BACK – SAMUEL UMTITI
The Lilywhites have been tracking Samuel Umtiti for some time and could finally make a move for the Frenchman this summer having seemingly outgrown his surroundings in the Lyon backline. Indeed, the full-back-come-centre-half offers immense athleticism and quality on the ball – two fundamentals of Mauricio Pochettino’s energetic philosophy.
Tottenham are reportedly leading the race to sign the 5 foot 11 defender but amid widespread interest from Premier League rivals, Serie A and Barcelona, he could set the north London club back as much as £20million.
LEFT-BACK – JORDAN LUKAKU
The brother of Everton striker Romelu, Jordan Lukaku has been linked with a family reunion in the Premier League for much of the campaign, having impressed at Oostende to the extent that he’s picked up two caps for Belgium just in time for Euro 2016.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Tottenham and Watford have all been mooted as potential candidates to snap up the promising 21-year-old. And with his Oostende contract due to expire at the end of next season, it’s claimed he could be prized away for as little as £3million this summer.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – MAHMOUD DAHOUD
The German media seem fairly convinced Tottenham Hotspur will swoop for Borussia Monchengladbach’s rhythmically named midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud this summer. The 20-year-old is coming to the end of a sensational first season in the Gladbach first team – almost comparable to Dele Alli’s at White Hart Lane – notching up five goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga outings from central midfield.
Young, hardworking and supremely confident for his age, the German U21 fits the Pochettino profile perfectly. But having rapidly emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting prospects this season, sealing a deal this summer could require a £27.5million transfer fee.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – SAUL NIGUEZ
A somewhat improbable rumour but nonetheless one that obliges our attention. Earlier this week, reports of emerged of Tottenham attempting to lure Atletico Madrid prodigy Saul Niguez to White Hart Lane.
The Mattress Makers’ march to the Champions League final has seen the 21-year-old emerge as one of the most coveted youngsters in world football, producing a sublime assist and an incredible solo goal in the semi-final against Barcelona, but his Vincente Calderon future remains unclear amid reported reluctance to sign a new deal.
The versatile midfielder certainly suits the Pochettino philosophy but Atletico are determined to hold onto him this summer – so the Lilywhites will have to activate his £36million release clause.
RIGHT MIDFIELD – ADAM LALLANA
Another recent rumour to hit the tabloids; The Sun claim the Lilywhites are lining up £20million swoop for Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana. Initially, it may sound a little absurd, considering the England international has struggled to justify his £25million price-tag since moving to Anfield in summer 2014.
But the 28-year-old excelled under Mauricio Pochettino at former club Southampton, thriving in the Argentine’s high-pressing philosophy, and would bring real depth to Tottenham’s squad through his versatility, capable of playing as a wide-man, a central midfielder or a No.10. Nonetheless, £20million still seems a little steep for the tidy playmaker.
LEFT MIDFIELD – ANDRE SCHURRLE
Spurs are reportedly willing to offer Andre Schurrle the chance to exact revenge on former employers Chelsea with a big-money move back to the Premier League. The winger-forward has never been the most consistent of performers – which is exactly why the Blues offloaded him to Wolfsburg – but his speed and netting prowess has proved effective on the biggest stage possible, impressing in a cameo role as Germany lifted the 2014 World Cup.
Having endured an underwhelming 18 months at the Volkswagen Arena, the 25-year-old is reportedly keen to move on this summer. But under contract until 2019, Transfermarkt claim Schurrle is worth at least £13.5million.
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STRIKER – MICHY BATSHUAYI
There are a number of front-men reportedly in Tottenham’s transfer crosshairs ahead of the summer window but the common consensus is that Michy Batshuayi remains the Lilywhites’ favoured target, with Mauricio Pochettino recently revealing his admiration for the Belgium international last month.
The 22-year-old simply hasn’t stopped scoring since first featuring for Standard Liege in 2011 and has been in scintillating form this season, with 17 goals and nine assists in 36 Ligue 1 outings for Marseille. The prodigious striker seems destined to move onto greater things this summer and the Lilywhites need a dependable understudy to Harry Kane, but The Metro believe he’s worth at least £25million.
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STRIKER – ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE
Should a deal for Batshuayi fail to materialise, it’s likely the Lilywhites will turn their attentions to fellow strike target and fellow Ligue 1 front-man Alexandre Lacazette. The France international’s potent return of 31 goals across all competitions saw him claim last term’s Player of the Year award and he’s continued to impress this season, netting 21 times in the French top flight.
Making no secret of his intentions to leave Lyon, it appears the 24-year-old will be on the move this summer. But amid rumours West Ham have already launched a £24million bid, Spurs will have to act quickly.
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