If there is one thing to get excited by about the future of Spurs, it’s how busy Fabio Paratici seems to be in the transfer market, as the club are now interested in signing Brighton right-back Tariq Lamptey.
While Paulo Fonseca’s deal collapsed and Gennaro Gattuso geared up to become manager before being rejected by fans and then Daniel Levy too, the club have quietly moved closer to making their first signing of the summer.
Lamptey, 20, spent most of last season injured, but the limited appearances he made were enough for Brighton to reportedly command a huge £50 million fee, a whole £20 million more than how much Max Aarons is likely to cost from Norwich.
Tariq Lamptey has a BIG future ahead of him 🤩📈pic.twitter.com/6S7xrlfIa1
— GOAL (@goal) October 2, 2020
However, unlike Aarons who struggled a couple of seasons ago when Norwich were last in the Premier League, Lamptey has proven himself in the top flight and earned himself admirers from across the world, including a number of huge clubs in Europe – but Spurs may also have to contend with Newcastle United who have been linked with a move in recent days too.
The right-back, who graduated from Chelsea’s youth academy, is expected to take the place of Serge Aurier – who looks set to leave the club with Paris Saint-Germain interested as well as, shockingly, Real Madrid.
While Aurier’s fee will likely only cover a fraction of what Brighton will be demanding for Lamptey, the Englishman’s qualities make him a very intriguing prospect for Spurs, even despite the extortionate price tag.
Having scored one goal and set-up another for the Seagulls last season, the 20-year-old’s attacking abilities are similar to former fan favourite Kyle Walker – who also loved to bomb forward and terrorise defenders with his explosive pace and acceleration.
https://twitter.com/touchlinefracas/status/1314216751102656513?s=20
That same speed also makes Lamptey a very good defender, and thanks to his quick agility too, he’s a player who is extremely difficult to get past – and even if a forward does get past him, it’s even harder for them to get clear from him because of his blistering pace.
BREAKING: #THFC are interested in signing #BHAFC’s Tariq Lamptey this summer.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 16, 2021
Lamptey’s weakest areas are arguably his crossing, aerial duels and discipline – as he racked up two yellow cards and one red during his eleven league appearances last season – but with the right coaching, he could become one of the league’s best full-backs.