Tottenham are being linked with another Premier League defender as they look to beef up their back line.
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Tottenham are said to have lined up another Premier League player as a back-up in case they cannot get a centre-back deal over the line before Monday evening’s transfer deadline.
Spurs are said to be keen to add depth to their back-line before the window closes, with Radu Dragusin set to remain out until the winter. Tottenham saw first-hand last season just how much of an impact injuries at centre-back can have, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven missing time.
Reports have suggested that Manchester City star Manuel Akanji is an option, with the centre-back being chased by Milan and Spurs. The 30-year-old title winner could be available for between £12million and £17million, and that would allow the Lilywhites to add key depth for a bargain price.
But whether Tottenham will win the raise for Akanji remains to be seen, with Milan pushing hard to get a deal done at this stage. One alternative could be Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, who could be available, according to Sky Sports, with Spurs credited with an interest.
Gomez is under contract until 2027, and The Times have reported that the defender could be sold if Marc Guehi makes the move to Anfield on deadline day. Reports elsewhere have suggested the Guehi move is a likely one. Interestingly, Milan are also credited with an interest with Gomez, with the Italian club also likely seeing him as an alternative to Akanji.
It’s unclear how much Liverpool will ask for to sell the centre-back, but there could be a deal to be done for a reasonable price, especially with Guehi arrives, keeping in mind Gomez has not had the best of luck with injuries.
Slot praise for Gomez
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has spoken about Gomez in glowing terms in the past. He previously said: “That says a lot about his mentality and it also says a lot about his quality, if you don’t play that much and you come in in a game where your team-mates were out-played for 45 minutes, that you can come in and play like this.
“It also says a lot about his mentality in recent weeks and months where didn’t play that much that he is now able, without playing a lot, to play 90 minutes on Wednesday and then put in a performance like this on Saturday.
“This is what people told me when I came in. Joe is a top, top, top professional who no matter what position he is in always gives his best for the team and for himself as well, and I think he got the reward for it because I think the fans loved what they saw. I definitely did.”