Tottenham fans are all well aware of the fact that their current defensive unit is in tatters. The Lilywhites are absolutely shambolic defensively this season, and the sooner that Jose Mourinho can bring in some players to tighten his side up the better.
It won’t be at all easy for Mourinho to completely overhaul this defence, as a lot of changes are needed, but it’s doable, and it looks like the Portuguese tactician is already looking at players to improve his side, starting with one man who his former club Manchester United tried to sign last summer, Issa Diop (Sky Sports).
This time around now that January is upon us, the Lilywhites are still battling one of Jose’s former clubs for the signature of West Ham’s Frenchman, but it’s not United anymore, it’s Frank Lampard’s Chelsea who want to bring in the central defender, according to The Daily Express.
This does not look like it’s going to be a deal that will easily be completed. The report claims that Chelsea are set to make a £40m bid for the young defender, but that West Ham are holding out for something closer to £50m, which would give them a significant profit after signing him for a then-club-record £22m in 2018 (BBC).
However, the article also states of Tottenham’s interest and says:
‘Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho wants Diop as a replacement for Jan Vertonghen, who is stalling on signing a new deal at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.’
Will we have a big transfer window?
Yes
No
It’s common knowledge that the Lilywhites are struggling to tie down Jan Vertonghen to a new contract and bringing in a new younger option to play alongside the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez could be the way forward, even if this is a deal that won’t come cheap or easy.