Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte could be tuning in to watch the African Cup of Nations quarterfinal matchup between Morocco and Egypt this weekend.
Should Spurs part ways with Tanguy Ndombele, their target to replace the 25-year-old is Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who’s currently representing the Morocco national team at AFCON.
According to transfer window specialist Fabrizio Romano, Spurs are ready to submit an official offer to sign Amrabat on loan from Fiorentina with an option to buy for €16m (£13.4m). Talks between the two clubs have been taking place since last Sunday.
However, before Tottenham can secure that deal for the defensive midfielder, the north London club needs to offload Ndombele, who is wanted on loan by Paris Saint-Germain, or Dele Alli, who is an option for Newcastle, if they are to take Amrabat.
With only a few days left until the window closes, Spurs are up against the clock to secure a departure to bring in a midfielder that Conte covets to begin rebuilding the midfield for the squad.
I’m underwhelmed by virtually all our transfer dealings, you just know they will go ti ts up.
If Conte wants him, yeah the delusion of fans is incredible.
This could be the straw that broke the camels back… Levy signs him as it’s a ‘good deal’ without Contes approval… net result Conte walks saying his job is untenable…
I’m underwhelmed by our interest in this guy and Conte wanting him is the only thing that would change my opinion.
Considering Ndombele never plays anyway, any player ready to be called upon is essentially an improvement, though.
If Conte wants him then he has his reasons. Perhaps we’re going to play a bank of DM’s in front of the back 3 to quit conceding so many goals, with some of those DM’s trained to play forward passes and Winks as a sort of false AM.
Alternatively he could be rotation for an exhausted PEH. I believe come summer we will be in for a proper creative mid.
If this report is true, we are about to sign a 2nd rate player who cannot command a place in an average Serie A team whose position is boosted by Vlahovic goals. i.e. defence must be substandard. This is not a transfer that will improve the quality of our squad. Can you see Chelsea, Arsenal or any other prem team going in for this guy?
Sofyan Amrabat might not be ‘any great shakes’ at Fiorentina, but he had a fantastic 19/20 season with Verona and Conte might feel that this is a player that is not being used to his strengths at Fiorentina
On Surface Value, gaining another Defensive Midfielder in exchange for Ndombele seems nuts (and a typical low-ball Levy move). However, IF Conte wants him, then we could see this as NOT a ‘direct apples for apples swap’. It could be a reinforcement for a 5-3-2 system where Conte would want at least 5 decent defensive midfielders (or players that could also play a tenacious central midfield role). i.e. first team and back-up for a long-season/injuries. A more direct replacement for Ndombele might be penciled in for the Summer because it’s just too difficult to push through now.