Tottenham tipped to challenge Man United in transfer scramble for bargain free agent deal

The transfer window may well be over but that hasn’t stopped clubs from scouring the free agent market to sign the available talent. Tottenham Hotspur have signed five new players over the summer but could be set to battle a familiar foe as the race to sign Turkey international Yusuf Yazici gathers momemtum.

Both Spurs and Manchester United are said to be among ‘numerous’ Premier League clubs wanting to sign the free agent, whose deal with Lille expired in July. According to reports from Football Insider, Spurs and the Red Devils are also joined in showing Yazici interest by Newcastle United and Aston Villa with the latter two said to be ‘monitoring’ the situation.

Since departing the Ligue 1 side this summer, the 27-year-old midfielder has been unable to find a new club, despite the continued interest from around Europe.

Despite the apparent growing attention the midfielder is receiving from the Premier League, it is believed that Galatasaray are currently leading the race to sign Yazici who scored 12 goals and provided four assists in 42 appearances for Lille last campaign.

In the summer transfer window, Postecoglou welcomed former Leeds United star Archie Gray and Swedish 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall into the mix but as the pair have a combined age of 36, the Spurs head coach may well be seeking to bring in some much needed experience into the middle of the pitch.

Manchester United, on the other hand, sold Scotland international Scott McTominay at the end of the summer transfer window and are currently dealing with Mason Mount‘s absence due to injury leaving Erik ten Hag with depleting options in central midfield. Signing Yazici on a free transfer may well offer both Premier League teams an relief to their midfield-concerns, as well as providing some competition in the squads.

The attacking midfielder first moved to Lille in 2022 in a deal thought to be worth €17.5 million (£14.7m) after growing up in the Trabzonspor academy scheme. The international has scored 64 times in 267 appearances across the board and has netted three goals from 45 international appearances for Turkey.