Tottenham Hotspur chief Fabio Paratici is a huge fan of mooted transfer target Houssem Aouar…
What’s the word?
That’s according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who dropped the intriguing claim to the ‘Last Word On Spurs’ podcast this week.
Speaking about potential incomings before the August 31st deadline, the renowned transfer expert claimed: “Fabio Paratici tried to sign Aouar last season at Juventus and Paratici has always been in love with this player.”
Would Aouar be a good signing for Spurs?
YES!
NO!
The North London outfit have regularly been linked with a move for the Lyon midfielder in recent times, with ESPN journalist Julien Laurens reporting only last month that Spurs had entered the race to secure the 23-year-old playmaker, alongside arch-rivals Arsenal.
It’s thought the French side would accept an offer in the region of €25m (£21.5m), as per ESPN.
Sign him up!
Spurs are believed to be in the market for a new creative option to bolster Nuno Santo’s playing squad and the Lyon star is certainly capable of becoming the man to pull the strings from attacking midfield.
Noni Madueke and Mikel Damsgaard sit on Spurs’ shortlist but they are wingers, rather than an out-and-out no.10 or a box-to-box no.8.
Aouar has been likened to Spain legend Andres Iniesta by French football expert Adam White, who told Football FanCast:
“I’ve often likened him to Andres Iniesta, which is obviously a big shout because, for me, he is one of the greatest players of all-time.
“I don’t necessarily mean in quality but in style. He has silky movement and drifts in midfield to pick passes. At his best, he is absolutely brilliant to watch and he can play anywhere in midfield.
“He’s great on the ball and technically outstanding. His vision is brilliant. He’s a huge talent.”
Since the start of the 2017/18 season, the Frenchman has provided Lyon with 31 goals and 31 assists, as per Transfermarkt, whilst throughout his time at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, he’s averaged 1.4 key passes per 90 minutes.
By comparison, the only player to exceed this at Spurs last season was Heung-min Son, who averaged two key passes per match, via WhoScored.
The likes of Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso have failed to step up to fill that creative void since both arriving in the summer of 2019, which is perhaps why the club are seeking reinforcements in the role.
Perhaps Aouar, who is valued at €30m (£25.5m) by CIES Football Observatory, is the player that the Lilywhites should’ve signed from Lyon instead, particularly as the 24-year-old is considering his future at the club once again.
Spurs must look to seal a move for him after the latest claim from Romano. Paratici has been spot on with his signings of Bryan Gil and Cristian Romero, both of whom have raised excitement in N17, so if he likes Aouar too, then chairman Daniel Levy must sanction a transfer before the end of the month.
AND in other news, Paratici could secure Nuno his next Adama Traore if Spurs swoop for “rapid” £18m-rated gem…