Spurs will definitely be in the market for a permanent backup striker for Harry Kane this summer, with on-loan Brazilian Carlos Vinicius the front-runner to be signed.
However, the fee that Benfica originally agreed with Spurs of £38 million remains way too much – and if the price tag can’t be negotiated down to somewhere in the region of £20 million, it’s likely the club will look at alternative targets.
AS have reported that one striker on the shortlist is Schalke sensation Matthew Hoppe, who has netted a hat-trick for the Bundesliga strugglers this season and scored a further two goals since.
Not one, but TWO 🍟s! 💥
A wonderful hat-trick from 19-year-old Matthew Hoppe to end Schalke's winless run. 🎩👏 pic.twitter.com/ZLzAr4dVEW
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 9, 2021
Barcelona, Valencia and Villarreal are Spurs’ main contenders should they decide to pursue the striker from Yorba Linda, California, but Ajax and PSV Eindhoven have also been in contact with him.
Transfermarkt believe that the youngster has a value of around £2.7 million – but the price tag is likely to be far higher – but not too high particularly if Schalke do drop down a division.
Need to find a Jump now. pic.twitter.com/ctFl5buLK5
— JaiP (@JaiP72) March 27, 2021
Valencia are believed to be the front runners to secure the American’s signature with their out-of-form striker Maxi Gomez being linked with a move out of the club and 18-year-old American international Yunus Musah flourishing at the Mestalla Stadium.
At 6ft3, Hoppe has demonstrated his poacher like qualities, with terrific off the ball movement and clinical finishing while playing for a team that looks destined for relegation.
With him being just 20-years-old, he is definitely one for the future – but with Dane Scarlett and Troy Parrott remaining strikers that are showing promise and still being teenagers, it begs the question to be asked – is Hoppe a necessary signing?
Spurs have been the home of many American stars in the last 20 years for example the likes of Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel and Clint Dempsey, and we also still have eight-time USA international Cameron Carter-Vickers on the books – albeit with him on-loan at Championship side Bournemouth.
But with the rapid growth in popularity of football across the Atlantic, now might be a good time for Daniel Levy to invest in one of the USA’s finest youth prospects to increase our profile over there, and knowing our business-minded chairman, that idea could definitely be going through his head right now.