Belgian Talent on Spurs’ Radar
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in talks with Genoa over the signing of highly-rated Belgian defender Koni De Winter, with a fee of just £22 million potentially sealing the deal. As per Pete Hall of the i Paper, Spurs have made contact with the Serie A club, though no formal offer has been made at the time of writing.
De Winter, who can operate as both a centre-back and full-back, is viewed as the next Vincent Kompany – a lofty comparison which the player himself addressed earlier this year.
“All my life I have been told I play like Vincent Kompany,” he told i Paper in February. “I have this ability to make runs with the ball like he did, I have the same technical side. It’s a really big name, so I one day hope to be able to live up to him.”
That versatility, along with his technical quality, has made De Winter one of Europe’s most promising young defenders. Still just 23, he has impressed in Serie A and caught the attention of both Tottenham and Inter Milan – the latter of whom are currently further along in negotiations.
Inter’s Advantage and Spurs’ Challenge
One of the key issues for Spurs is De Winter’s apparent comfort in Italy. Having spent most of his professional career there, the player is reportedly content to stay – giving Inter Milan a natural advantage in the pursuit.
While Bournemouth are also said to be interested, their need to replace Dean Huijsen (who joined Real Madrid) could push them into the mix, but Spurs appear the more ambitious option.
Despite this, Tottenham must move quickly. With Champions League football on the horizon and Thomas Frank stepping into the dugout, the need for defensive depth is growing more urgent. Pete Hall notes that De Winter’s reasonable fee “should mean his transfer progresses quickly,” but that speed will be crucial given Inter’s current progress.
Summer Window Needs Urgency
Spurs fans may have been anxious about the transfer window until last week’s £55 million signing of Mohammed Kudus, their only notable addition was making Mathys Tel’s loan permanent.
Tottenham’s recruitment strategy appears to hinge on balancing the books while boosting squad quality. De Winter fits that mould, freeing up funds for more ambitious moves – notably a continued pursuit of Adam Wharton. However, Crystal Palace’s £80 million valuation and Morgan Gibbs-White’s complicated £60 million move (halted by a Premier League complaint from Forest’s owner) show the market remains tricky.
De Winter’s Premier League Dreams
De Winter has expressed admiration for English football, hinting that a move could still appeal: “The Premier League is one of the best competitions in the world, so yes, I hear some nice things.”
That openness, combined with Spurs’ growing need for defensive cover and Inter’s current upper hand, makes this a fascinating transfer race. Whether Spurs can pull it off may hinge on how swiftly they act in the coming days.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Spurs fan perspective, this story raises more questions than answers. Koni De Winter is certainly a promising talent – his Kompany comparisons, while ambitious, suggest a player with leadership potential, ball-playing confidence, and the versatility to thrive in a progressive back line.
At £22 million, he represents a shrewd investment – particularly compared to the inflated figures seen elsewhere this window. Yet the fact that Inter Milan are already ahead in negotiations is concerning. Spurs have a history of hesitancy in the market, and with Thomas Frank needing time to implement his ideas, delays in recruitment could derail the club’s ambitions before the season starts.
Supporters will also want clarity. Is De Winter being lined up as a rotational option, or will he be a key piece in Frank’s backline?
But above all, Spurs fans want to see intent. Arsenal are spending, Liverpool are going big, and Aston Villa are strengthening. If Spurs stall, even with a player as affordable and talented as De Winter available, fans will be right to feel agitated.
It’s time for Spurs to match their ambition with action.