Tottenham Hotspur are on the hunt to reinforce their midfield ranks this summer, and Ben Jacobs has exclusively told Spurs Web two players Thomas Frank and co are looking at.
Spurs have already undergone a summer of change after parting ways with Europa League-winning manager, Ange Postecoglou, and bringing in former Brentford boss, Thomas Frank.
We have also seen Ryan Mason leave Tottenham Hotspur for the West Brom job, and the likes of Fraser Forster, Sergio Reguilon, Alfie Whiteman and Timo Werner’s loan ended earlier this summer.
Mathys Tel became Tottenham’s first signing of the summer window last week, with the Lilywhites agreeing a discounted £29.6m fee with Bayern Munich – down from the previous £45m option to buy.
However, there is likely to be plenty more movement before the end of the window and midfield could be a particular area of focus for the Lilywhites.
Spurs need Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur decisions
Both Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur are into the final years of their Tottenham contracts. Bissouma has been linked with a move away from Spurs, while Bentancur could sign a new Tottenham Hotspur contract.
Ben Jacobs has exclusively informed Spurs Web that Tottenham Hotspur could be on the lookout for two types of midfielder this summer due to the formation change Thomas Frank will implement.
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With the Dane likely to opt for the 4-3-3 we saw from Brentford last season, Jacobs says Frank will want a ‘high-energy and modern central or even attacking midfielder’, while a deep-lying mid could also arrive.
Xavi Simons has been linked with Tottenham of late as a potential attacking option, while Spurs are big fans of Sporting Lisbon’s all-action Morten Hjulmand.
Jacobs told Spurs Web that Tottenham are also big fans of Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana – who has only been with the Villans for a single season – while Genoa’s £17m-rated Morten Frendrup is also a target.
Onana played 34 times for Villa last season, impressing in both the Premier League and Champions League as a talented midfield enforcer. Frendrup represented Genoa 35 times in Serie A alone last time out and is known for his stamina, tenacity and composure.
Tottenham like Amadou Onana and Morten Frendrup
Ben Jacobs told Spurs Web: “Before touching on the midfield situation, I think it is important to note Thomas Frank’s favoured system is a 4-3-3, although he is tactically flexible.
“Spurs ideally want a high-energy and modern central or even attacking midfielder. The Xavi Simons links are genuine, and I get asked about it a lot, but there are plenty of other interested clubs and I don’t think Tottenham have really advanced anything yet. It may be they want a player with a bit more experience or Premier League games on their CV in that position.
“Key to anything progressing with Simons is also whether Leipzig hold out for €80m. From what I hear, that price might drop a little bit, since although Leipzig agreed a package worth that number to buy Simons from PSG, the guaranteed fee paid was closer to €50m.
“A deeper-lying midfielder could also arrive. Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur are both into the final years of their contracts. Spurs appreciate Amadou Onana, but he has only been at Aston Villa for a season, so nothing is likely to be possible unless Villa’s financial situation forces them to sanction an exit.
“Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup has also been discussed. But don’t forget, Thomas Frank is a big fan of Archie Gray and almost signed him for Brentford, only for Spurs – with a medical booked – to hijack the deal. I suspect we’ll see Gray used regularly as a six this season.”