5 players Tottenham could shockingly sign on Deadline Day
Tielemans Youri midfielder of Rsc Anderlecht celebrates pictured during the Jupiler Pro League match between RSC Anderlecht and Club Brugge on october 25, 2015 in Anderlecht, Belgium. (Photo by William Van Hecke/Corbis via Getty Images)
If Tottenham pulls a Deadline Day surprise, bet on it being one of these five stars
Tottenham boss Daniel Levy hasn’t pulled a big Deadline Day surprise since signing Rafael Van der Vaart six seasons ago. Could Spurs have a surprising signing up their sleeves today?
If Pochettino is going to get a present under the tree, it won’t be a huge name like Isco or Max Meyer. Instead it would be a young, talented starlet with significantly less name recognition throughout the globe.
That doesn’t mean they couldn’t have a significant impact on Tottenham’s season though. In particular, Spurs seem light of potential attacking options off the bench. If the club splashes serious cash tomorrow, expect it to be a direct, attacking talent that would suit Pochettino’s aggressive style.
None of these players are likely to sign for Spurs per se, but they are in play. Tottenham fans should be very happy if any of these five stars end up playing their football at White Hart Lane after the transfer window slams shut.
BRUSSELS – AUGUST 28, 2016 : penalty Youri Tielemans midfielder of RSC Anderlecht scores and celebrates pictured during Jupiler Pro League match between RSC Anderlecht and KAA Gent on August 28, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium ( Photo by Jimmy Bolcina / Photonews *** via Getty Images)
5. Youri Tielemans
Tottenham have had quite a bit of success with Belgian players as of late, and could look to add another one today. Anderlecht midfielder Youri Tielemans would be quite a coup for Spurs on Deadline Day.
More from Playing for 90
Think of him as a younger, lesser version of countryman Mousa Dembele. He has the ability to move effectively between both the defensive and attacking midfield spots for his club.
He might not be ready to come in and take the Premier League by storm, but he’d be a really useful bench player for Pochettino. The fact that he already has Champions League experience also increases his value for the club.
Tielemans could likely be had for a transfer fee of somewhere around 15 million pounds. That’s a price range that even Levy can feel comfortable with.
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Moussa Sissoko (R) is greeted by Newcastle Unitedâs Assistant Manager Francisco De Miguel Moreno (L) during a Newcastle United training session at the Newcastle United Training Centre on August 22, 2016, in Bristol, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
4. Moussa Sissoko
The French midfielder has been strongly linked with Tottenham over the last few days. Up until now, there’s been a significant difference in what Newcastle want for Sissoko and what Spurs might be willing to pay.
Reportedly, the Magpies are holding out for a fee of approximately 35 million pounds. Tottenham, would be much more comfortable paying a fee closer to 20 million. That’s a big gap, but larger gaps have been closed on Deadline Days in the past.
Sissoko justifiably divides opinion among the Tottenham faithful. On his day, he can be an absolute superstar in the midfield. He is fully capable of defending or storming forward to aid his club’s attack. In particular, he was brilliant for his country during the Euros.
The troubling thing, is that Sissoko also can be abysmal. Some of his performances for Newcastle were absolutely dreadful last season. When he loses focus, he looks more like a Championship player than a Champions League midfielder.
Sissoko ending up at White Hart Lane would be a surprise for me. He’s expensive, and at 27-years-old he’s much older than Pochettino’s normal transfer target. Still, it’s not impossible.
Bernardo Silva of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League game between As Monaco and Villarreal at Stade Louis II on August 23, 2016 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Agence Nice Presse/Icon Sport) (Photo by Agence Nice Presse/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
3. Bernardo Silva
Tottenham need only look to their Champions League group to find an excellent transfer target. Monaco winger Bernardo Silva would be an excellent addition to Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking options.
The 22-year-old Portuguese attacker isn’t a finished product, but Pochettino should be comfortable with that. There’s plenty of time left for him to round out his complete game.
Most importantly, Silva already has shown the high work rate required to thrive at Tottenham. He isn’t the biggest player in Ligue 1, but he really pitches in for Monaco on the defensive end of the pitch. That would certainly endear him to the Spurs faithful.
The real question on Silva is whether or not Monaco would be willing to part with him. He’s a key part of their resurgence and he wouldn’t come cheap. Levy would need to put up a strong bid around 30 million pounds to bring Silva to White Hart Lane.
Turkey’s midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu attempts a free kick during the Euro 2016 group D football match between Spain and Turkey at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on June 17, 2016. / AFP / TOBIAS SCHWARZ (Photo credit should read TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
2. Hakan Calhanoglu
Silva isn’t the only player in Tottenham’s Champions League group that could be of interest to Spurs. Bayer Leverkusen attacker Hakan Calhanoglu would also be an asset for Pochettino.
The Turkish international isn’t the athlete that Tottenham generally covet, but he has bags of skill. He’s particularly renowned for being one of the Bundesliga’s best free kick takers.
In particular, he’d provide serious competition for Christian Eriksen as the club’s number ten. He might not be able to supplant the Dane as the club’s starter, but he’d certainly give Spurs a serious option off the bench.
Calhanoglu wouldn’t be a cheap purchase either, but he’s well within Tottenham’s price range. A transfer bid of somewhere around 20 million pounds would be enough to make him a Spurs player on Deadline Day.
ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 20: Leandro Paredes of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Udinese Calcio at Olimpico Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images )
1. Leandro Paredes
You have to think that Pochettino might want to bring in another Argentinian on Deadline Day. He’s had success getting the best out of countrymen Erik Lamela, and might want to try it with another high-ceiling attacker from his native land.
Leandro Paredes certainly fits that description. He’s currently a Roma player, but was a major contributor on loan for Empoli last season. He started 29 Serie A matches for the club last year.
He also has the reputation of being a hard worker for his club in the midfield. He really enjoys mixing it up with his opposition via a strong challenge or just chasing the ball relentlessly. He’s exactly the type of nuisance for the opposition that would thrill the Spurs faithful on a weekly basis.
He’s also another affordable target for the club. Liverpool reportedly had a 15 million pound bid rejected earlier this summer, but you’d have to think that something in the neighborhood of 20 million pounds would get a deal done. It’d be a really solid purchase for Spurs.