European club scared that Tottenham will hijack defender transfer due to player's 'preference'

Tottenham are said to be making a late push to land a new defender as they look to beat Monday night’s summer transfer deadline. Thomas Frank’s men have enjoyed a very solid start to the season, and they will be looking to continue their strong start against AFC Bournemouth today, on Saturday.

Frank will be pleased with the start, but he will be well aware that more depth will be required to keep up both in the league and the Champions League. As Tottenham learned last season, injuries can call depth into question and failure to have a proper answer can lead to a season to forget.

Having said that, Tottenham already look more competitive under Frank, and the new signings like Joao Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus are already having an impact. Xavi Simons looks to be the next signing to arrive, with Spurs having hijacked Chelsea’s £51.8million deal for the RB Leipzig attacking midfielder.

Spurs have the advantage in that they can offer a starting spot due to James Maddison’s long-term injury, while Chelsea have Cole Palmer as their clear starter in the number 10 role.

According to Sky Italia, Spurs are now considering a late widow move for Manchester City star Manuel Akanji, who is expected to move on before the window slams shut. The 30-year-old is the subject of interest from AC Milan, who are said to have an agreement with the player.

But with a deal not yet done, the report claims Milan are concerned that Tottenham’s interest could see them drop to being the second choice.

Milan sporting director Igli Tare has said: “This change in formation in the last few days has put us in a bit of trouble. In the next four or five days, we need to try to bring home an experienced player like Akanji: he can play for AC Milan. But it’s not easy,”

Milan are said to be hoping to strike a £12million plus bonuses deal for Akanji, and it’s reported that they are hoping for a response on Saturday. Tottenham may need to move by then if they want to trump Milan, and it’s reported that they are willing to pay £17.3million to strike a deal, with the defender reportedly holding a preference to stay in the Premier League.

Akanji could be the ideal defensive signing for Tottenham, who need a back-up at centre-back but one who is actually able to push Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven rather than playing a completely supplementary role.

Guardiola praise

Speaking back in 2022, Guardiola was full of praise for Akanji. He said: “With [assistant manager] Carlos Vicens on set pieces, he said: ‘you only have to tell [Akanji] once [and] he knows it’. The movement defensively and offensively, he executes it perfectly. This is a gift for the manager. Some players, you have to explain ten times or train ten times to show what you are thinking or what you want to do. This guy needed just one training session and he got it.

“The movement he has to do as a full-back, the high pressing, he didn’t train once, and he did it perfectly. With the ball he is a magnificent player. Our build-up should be three in the back and that’s why in the position we normally play Kyle [Walker] or John [Stones]. He was absolutely perfect. Proof again that intelligent people, always it pays off.”

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