Tottenham’s three centre-back alternatives if Jules Kounde and Milan Skriniar snub moves
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Tottenham are in the market for defensive reinforcement this summer, with the club desperate to upgrade their options ahead of the new Premier League season. Spurs are overhauling their squad following a seventh-place finish and are looking for new players to give manager Nuno Espirito Santo the best chance of success in 2021/22.
The club are finally focused on the transfer window after 72 days elapsed between the sacking of Jose Mourinho and the arrival of Nuno.
New director of football Fabio Paratici has a real task on his hands, with Harry Kane desperate to leave and signings needed.
Beyond Kane, defence is a priority, with Toby Alderweireld hoping to leave and the club open to offers for centre-back Davinson Sanchez and right-back Serge Aurier.
The Athletic reports that Spurs are close to signing Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu for a fee of £15million plus add-ons.
Japan international Tomiyasu is capable of playing at right-back and in central defence and will be a good addition to Nuno’s squad, but Spurs are targeting further additions at the back.
Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde are of interest to Spurs – but there are problems with both.
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That is because, according to Calciomercato, Skriniar wants to stay at Inter and, as per AS, Kounde only wants to leave Sevilla for a step up and Spurs’ lack of Champions League – or even Europa League – next season is a serious issue.
So, if Skriniar and Kounde are proving hard to convince, who else can Tottenham sign this summer to solve their defensive issues? Express Sport takes a look at the options.
Nikola Milenkovic
Fiorentina defender Milenkovic has long been linked with a move to Spurs this summer, with the 23-year-old having just entered the last 12 months of his contract with the Italian side.
Milenkovic was a regular for Fiorentina last season, making 34 appearances in Serie A, and is seen as a promising player for the future.
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Fiorentina may be forced to sell this summer, rather than losing him for free next summer, so Spurs may stand a good chance in negotiations.
According to Italian outlet La Nazione, Tottenham have already had one bid knocked back but they remain confident of signing him.
Jannik Vestergaard
The Southampton centre-back is a real possibility for Tottenham. According to The Athletic, Vestergaard has been on the club’s radar for some time due to the fact that Mourinho is a fan of his.
Mourinho is so keen on the towering defender that he is reportedly trying to lure him to Roma this summer.
Vestergaard has just entered the final year of his Southampton contract and appears keen to explore his options after helping Denmark reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
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The 28-year-old would apparently prefer to stay in the Premier League and his close friendship with former Saints midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be a good bargaining chip for Spurs.
Joachim Andersen
Earlier in the summer, Andersen was linked with several Premier League clubs, having impressed last season while on loan from Lyon with Fulham.
Those rumours have died down, but the 25-year-old remains on the radar for those clubs needing a reliable back-up in case other deals fall through.
Manchester United and Chelsea have cropped up in reports, credited with interest in Andersen, who is reportedly valued at around £25m by Lyon.
Andersen is a good age, already has Premier League experience and is another who could be helped to settle by Danish international Hojbjerg.
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