After two transfer windows without a signing, Mauricio Pochettino could be on the verge of mixing up his midfield with the signings of Andre Gomes and Malcom, claim The Express via Sport.
It could be a summer of movement, and should the likes of Victor Wanyama and Christian Eriksen leave, Spurs would be left with a threadbare midfield.
Gomes would be a suitable replacement for Wanyama. Their playing styles do contrast somewhat; the Portuguese makes clever use of the ball and loves to spray passes around from the middle of the park, similarly to Harry Winks.
After a slow start to life in the Premier League at Everton, he has really impressed and made improvements under Marco Silva, proving why Barcelona signed him for more than £30 million in 2016.
Wanyama has his qualities, but they have been seen far too infrequently in the past few seasons. If we are to challenge on all fronts, and not run out of steam in the latter stages of the Premier League, then we need more reliable players, since Winks and Eric Dier also spend too much time on the treatment table.
Sport’s report suggests that as part of the Gomes talks, Spurs are hoping to reopen a deal for Malcom, the pacy Brazilian who has enjoyed mixed fortunes since joining Barcelona from Bordeaux last summer.
Back in 2018 he was on the verge of joining Roma before Barca made the swoop, but having only made 23 appearances we could be able to land his signature.
And what a signing it could be, he would offer us an added dimension. Yes Lucas Moura is pacy, but his skill set is making runs beyond defenders rather than with the ball at his feet. Malcom is the opposite, he possesses skill more akin to Wilfried Zaha – who is apparently no longer a transfer target – and he has a stinging left foot, as evidenced by his goal against Inter in the Champions League.
He may command a large transfer fee, but he is only 22, and the investment would be rewarded through his performances and sell-on value. Of course it would be great to hang onto Eriksen, but targeting players like Gomes and Malcom should offer encouragement that we are prepared for all eventualities.