Tottenham could be about to pay the price for Newcastle United signing Malick Thiaw. The German's imminent move to St. James' Park has left AC Milan with a gap to fill in their back line, and they are believed to be going after a player on the radar of Spurs transfer chiefs.
Thiaw is putting the finishing touches on his transfer to Tyneside, and the centre-back is due in England on Sunday night. Newcastle and the Rossoneri are believed to have found common ground over a deal worth in the region of £35million, with Eddie Howe finally getting a dose of good news in what has otherwise been a frustrating window.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Thiaw was understood to be part of Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri's first-team plans, so San Siro chiefs are now set to wade into the market for a replacement. And the man they have identified is Genoa star Koni De Winter.
Tottenham have been linked with De Winter this summer. Spurs sporting director Johan Lange wants to give new manager Thomas Frank another option at centre-back after his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, was left desperately short of bodies due to an injury crisis last season.
And De Winter is a player who has popped up on their radar. The 23-year-old represents Belgium at international level but he has spent his entire professional career in Italy with Juventus, Empoli and now Genoa.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Milan are on the verge of taking concrete action to try and sign De Winter. Senior figures at the club are said to have made contact with his camp, and an opening bid worth just over £17million is in the works.
That may not be enough to get the deal done straight away as Genoa want a total package worth around £22m including add-ons. But Tottenham could still be alarmed that Milan are pushing, and De Winter reportedly wants the move.
Mohammed Kudus is the only major signing Tottenham have made this summer, with the exception of loans being made permanent. The north Londoners are expected to splash out on a new attacking midfielder in the wake of James Maddison's ACL injury, which looks set to rule him out for most of the upcoming season.
"We are definitely in the market in general," said Frank. "Of course, when players get a long-term injury we need to look into that, but generally we are in the market, yes. Nobody feels close or far away. I'm not saying anything before there's anything that is completely 100 per cent. If we think we can find the right one, one who can improve the team, then he will be signed. If we can't, then not."