Now on paper, the idea of Spurs signing one of these players is hugely exciting, but the biggest question is, where would they fit in or who would they replace?
Reports in the last 24 hours suggest that we have made an official bid of £22m for Juan Mata in an effort to beat Arsenal in signing the player, whilst it does seem likely that Barcelona will sell Afellay with the signing of Sanchez already in the bag and a deal for Cesc Fabregas edges ever closer.
Mata, apparently has a buy out clause in his contract, that allows the player to leave Valencia, should anyone offer more than £21m, something that Spurs have supposedly done, whilst Arsenal are still to make an offer, perhaps due to the fact they still haven’t agreed a deal for Fabregas, though as long as they offer any sum in excess of the buy-out clause, they an also talk to the player, even if someone else bids more, which would almost certainly make them favourites to do a deal over Spurs in reality.
Again the lack of CL football and recent history of being in the group of elite European sides make our signing Mata a bit of a long shot, especially when we have no history of Spanish players to offer warmth and welcome. Arsenal may lose Fabregas, but his success there will not be lost on his potential replacement.
My personal feeling is that we have a far greater chance of doing a deal for Afellay, which may well be helped by our own Dutch connection in Rafael Van der Vaart, but the biggest question, is not which one we may or may not buy, but where they fit into the side and managers thinking.
In terms of ability, Both of these players are genuinely outstanding, but with the likes of Bale, VdV and Lennon, not to mention Pienaar and Kranjcar, where do they fit in or who do they replace? With an ability to operate on either wing or in an attacking central role, we know this isn’t our real positional worry for the season, so what is the thinking behind the potential move?
Squad depth is clearly essential, and maybe we are selling one of our big players, but both are more offensive minded than Modric, though perhaps this is a positive, should he still make a move, and should we sign someone such as Lassana Diarra, we have three quality defensive midfielders, so bringing in a more pacy and attack minded player may make sense, especially if Kranjcar in still wanting out.
It is very easy to look at any single signing and complain that they are not what we need because they are not a No9, but without seeing the bigger picture, it is unfair to be critical, especially when we are talking about two excellent players, but again these possible moves are slightly confusing considering that not only do we look pretty good in those positions now, but we also have a player like Andros Townsend who is developing very nicely…
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