Tottenham are in pole position for the signing of West Brom prospect Nathan Ferguson, whose contract expires next summer with multiple clubs also circling the teenager.
The Mirror report that Spurs have overtaken the likes of Crystal Palace in the race for the 19-year-old defender who has burst onto the scene this season with the Baggies, with stats from Transfermarkt showing that Ferguson has been a staple in Slaven Bilic’s side this campaign with West Brom locked with Leeds United for top spot in the Championship.
The versatile defender, who can play as a centre-back and on both flanks as a fullback, could depart West Brom this month with his contract set to expire in the summer despite the Championship club’s best efforts to tie Ferguson down to a new long-term deal, meaning that the Baggies could cash in on the teenager for way below how market value.
Will Tottenham be active in the January window?
Yes! We have to be!
No! Daniel Levy won't spend
And for Tottenham, Ferguson could be an excellent addition to the squad that is on the surface in need of defensive reinforcements, with stats from the Premier League’s official website showing that Spurs have kept the joint-fewest clean sheets out of any side in the division this season.
With Jose Mourinho also hinting to The Guardian that he might be forced to change Tottenham’s style of defending in an attempt to stop conceding “ridiculous” goals, defensive signings could likely be on their way this month, and Ferguson could be an ideal transfer given his experience this season with West Brom, his versatility in playing in the back four and his relatively cheap price tag.
Tottenham’s defence requires improving, and in Ferguson, Spurs could have a player who can assist in patching up the leaky backline as well as develop into a potential first-team player in the future.