Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to sign new players in the summer transfer window, but holding onto current players is just as important.
Not every Tottenham player has covered himself in glory this season, but every man did his job on Wednesday to secure the Europa League for the third time in the club’s history.
The upcoming transfer window provides an opportunity to add depth and stability to the Tottenham first-team squad. While this is important, Spurs must also do everything possible to keep hold of their star players.
Here are five players Tottenham should attempt to tie down to a new contract
Tottenham open new contract talks with Rodrigo Bentancur
Rodrigo Bentancur has not had a straightforward season. In November, he was banned by the FA for seven matches after making an inappropriate joke about his captain Heung-min Son. Since then, not all his performances have reached the heights expected of him.
However, Bentancur really stepped up in recent weeks and played an important role in Tottenham’s recent European success. He may not be the flashiest player, but he has been a reliable figure in the centre of the pitch for the three and a half seasons he has spent in North London.
It is possible Spurs will look for a replacement instead. Angel Gomes has recently been linked with Tottenham, and he is a similar type of player to the Uruguayan. A decision on his future must be made soon because he only has a year remaining on his contract.
It has already been reported that Tottenham Hotspur have opened new contract talks with Bentancur.
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Yves Bissouma may have saved his Tottenham career
Not long ago, putting Yves Bissouma on a list of players who should be given a new contract would be a surprise. Despite arriving from Brighton as a proven player in the Premier League, many of his performances have been underwhelming. However, like Bentancur, he has stepped up in recent weeks.
It is hard to argue against giving the Malian a new contract after his display in Tottenham’s Europa League final. He was simply brilliant, winning seven duels and making four tackles and providing defensive cover when it was needed.
Consistency is Bissouma’s biggest problem. When he is at his best, his physical presence and play on the ball in midfield make him a great player to have. He also only has a year left on his Tottenham contract and losing him on the cheap would be poor business.
Cristian Romero has been linked with a Tottenham exit
A couple of weeks ago it looked almost certain that Cristian Romero was going to leave Tottenham. Atletico Madrid have already taken steps to sign Romero and he would be the perfect type of player for a manager like Diego Simeone.
The Argentine has not had an easy season with injuries, and truth be told, he has surprisingly played a few stinkers. However, like his teammates named above, Romero has upped his game recently. He stepped up as the captain in Bilbao and played his part in Tottenham keeping a clean sheet.
Romero has shown he is one of Europe’s top defenders since arriving at Hotspur Way and he has impressed at international level too. If he wants to stay at the club, getting him on a new contract should be Tottenham’s number one priority.
Mikey Moore needs to be tied down at Spurs
This one is a no-brainer, with Moore’s current contract set to expire in two years. The 17-year-old’s time on the pitch has been limited, but he is clearly a talented player.
There will be no question in anyone’s mind that Moore is good enough to the point that selling him would be inconceivable. Tying him down to a long-term contract should be done as soon as possible. A decision must then be made on whether it would be better to keep him next season or send him out on loan so he can get first-team opportunities.
It has been rumoured that Tottenham are already trying to tie Mikey Moore down to a new contract.
Pedro Porro will attract transfer interest
Of all the players whose contracts expire in three years, Pedro Porro is the one who looks most likely to leave Spurs. Manchester City are one of a few teams to have shown an interest in signing Porro and the player himself seemed flattered when he found out Real Madrid were keeping an eye on him.
Some of Porro’s performances this season have been baffling, due to his ludicrous positioning, which left his side of defence completely exposed. However, on his day, he is a solid defender, and he has a good creative spark which is useful to have in a full-back. Ivan Perisic was the only Spurs player in recent memory to be as good a crosser of the ball as Porro.
Why not Heung-min Son and Richarlison?
Heung-min Son’s extended deal will expire next summer, while Richarlison will be out of contract in two years. Son is a Tottenham legend, but he has lacked the forward drive this season that he has shown in times past. He is at the top of the club’s wage list, so offering him a new contract out of respect for his service over the years is not a good business decision.
Of course, if Ange Postecoglou still sees him as a long-term option, Spurs should consider renewing his contract. In fairness, he is tied with James Maddison as Tottenham’s top goal contributor in the Premier League this season.
Then there is Richarlison, who started in the Europa League final and is quite an underrated player at Spurs. However, he will be 30 when his current contract ends and he is an injury-prone player. A decision to keep him at the club long-term would be perfectly fine, but it could be better to look for a younger alternative.