According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are preparing a squad exodus when the transfer window reopens (don’t believe it until you see it chaps).
And, despite what Mauricio Pochettino claims in public, Tottenham Hotspur need to go shopping in the January sales.
Among those believed to be on offer are Ivan Rakitic and Carles Alena, and Spurs need midfield reinforcements, even before you consider that The Times reports Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama will be allowed to leave.
Which one of Rakitic and Alena – both of whom have been linked with moves to North London by the Daily Star – would be the best fit at Spurs?
Alena, 21, is a more typical Pochettino signing in terms of age and profile, and The Sun understands he has been a Spurs target for at least two years.
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The Spanish youth international would be perfectly suited to playing on the left side of the diamond formation that Pochettino has often deployed this term, although that role may have been earmarked for Giovani Lo Celso.
Buying Rakitic, who will be 32 before the end of the season, would be a major diversion from Tottenham’s usual policy.
Only three of the 28 signings of the Pochettino era have been over the age of 30 at the time of their arrival – Fernando Llorente and goalkeeper Michel Vorm, twice.
Even if Rakitic has somehow found his way onto our radar, we may not be on his. This is a decorated midfielder who won’t be short of attractive offers.
If we have genuine interest in the Croatian, he would be my preferred option ahead of Alena. We face losing three of four vastly experienced heads in the summer and Rakitic could offset that in the dressing room. He has the most important type of experience – winning experience.
We made four signings in the summer and are going to have to wait for a season or two before we see them at their best, and in the case of Ryan Sessegnon and Jack Clarke, maybe longer, or never. It would be refreshing to sign the finished article, someone who could make an immediate impact.
Because an immediate impact is exactly what we need.
