Tottenham Hotspur could end deadline day with a bang if they manage to seal a move for mooted target Adama Traore…
What’s the word?
Earlier in the day, Football Insider reported that super-agent Jorge Mendes was playing a huge role in trying to bring the Spanish winger to north London before tonight’s 11pm deadline.
It’s thought that negotiations over various types of structured deals have taken place after Wolves rebuffed a loan bid from Spurs, though they are willing to listen to further offers.
Should Spurs move for Traore before deadline day?
YES!
NO!
Since then, football.london’s Alasdair Gold has played down their chances of getting it over the line in time.
“Wolves are standing firm at the moment. Spurs aren’t currently hopeful of anything happening for him today. Perhaps it’s one to look at again in the future as Nuno [Santo] and [Fabio] Paratici do love him,” he revealed in a Q&A with supporters.
It’s thought that the Midlands outfit value him in the region of £40m.
Get it done!
If Spurs can complete a move for Traore before 11pm, then it would be one hell of a way to end the transfer window.
Nuno does have plenty of options in the wide department but perhaps not enough on the right-hand side of midfield, where the Spanish winger has been a regular threat for Wolves, both now and under the Portuguese in recent times.
Last season, no player in the entire top-flight managed as many dribbles per game (4.1) as Traore, whilst he was fouled a whopping 2.3 times per match (third-highest in the division).
It’s no wonder Jurgen Klopp once lauded him as “unplayable” after his Liverpool side had to combat his explosive pace and physicality.
Similarly, BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand has previously described the 5 foot 10 winger as a “machine,” adding: “He’s powerful and quick and this season he has been scaring defenders. You see teams now trying to double up against him because of the threat he possesses.”
None of Spurs’ current wide options have matched Traore’s dribbling ability so far this season – for example, Nuno’s current first-choice on the right, Steven Bergwijn, has averaged only 1.3 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.
He would be a clear upgrade, as evident above, and one who would surely leave the fanbase excited. If Spurs want to end the window with a bang, then Paratici and co must look to sanction this move.
AND in other news, Paratici heading for his biggest Spurs mistake yet amid Alasdair Gold transfer update…