Tottenham are eyeing a complicated deal as they plot a move for a rising star who is set to join another club before he is available for transfer elsewhere.
Frank lauds Spurs mentality after win over Crystal Palace
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank hailed his players for a “huge mentality effort” after a gritty 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.
Spurs fans had started to turn on Frank after a run of five defeats in eight left them 14th in the Premier League on Christmas Day.
While there had been no suggestions internally that Frank’s job was under immediate threat, Tottenham needed to return to winning ways and Gray’s 42nd-minute header settled the contest between the current FA Cup and Europa League holders.
“I really liked the desire, details, mentality in the team and the character and resilience of the team is something I spoke about a lot,” Frank reflected.
“That is so important that we have that resilience in the team, because in a long Premier League season, you need to go to a very difficult away ground here and fight and show character. To get a clean sheet, win 1-0, that was a massive win in many ways.
“Was it a top performance? No. Are there things we can improve? Yes. But to go here, with the season having been a little bit up and down, I think it’s a huge mentality effort from the players.”
Sporting director Johan Lange is expected to be active in finding reinforcements for the manager in January, but their first signing of the month may not arrive until the summer.
Spurs eyeing complicated deal for Aleksandar Stankovic
According to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, Inter are set to activate their €23m (£20m) buyback option on Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, son of legendary midfielder Dejan, who won five Serie A titles and one Champions League title in Milan.
However, the Itallian club are not planning for a future with the 20 year-old defensive midfielder, but instead hope to immediately shift him on for profit.
Tottenham are waiting in the wings and are 'ready' to make an offer worth €40m (£35m), having already made contact over a move, but the Nerazzurri are expected to ask for more.
Stankovic can play at the base of midfield or as a centre-back, and has played in 19 of Brugge's 20 league fixtures this season, scoring twice.
The youngster has also started all six of their Champions League games, having been praised for his strength, aerial ability and long passing.
With four Serbia caps to his name already, Stankovic is showing plenty of signs he could follow in his father's footsteps.