Tottenham Hotspur are more likely to be trying ahead to the beginning of a brand new period beneath supervisor Ange Postecoglou, with the treble-winning coach having been tasked with shifting the doom and gloom that has surrounded N17 of late.
If the Greek-Aussie is to efficiently oversee a change in fortunes in north London, nevertheless, he’ll should be handed the instruments to take action, with notable incomings more likely to be required if the 57-year-old is to place his stamp on the first-team squad.
In response to 90min, the ex-Celtic man has already authorised the pursuit of a brand new centre-back addition forward of the upcoming summer time window, with Manchester Metropolis star, Aymeric Laporte believed to be amongst those who the Lilywhites are contemplating.
The 29-year-old has reportedly been provided to Spurs after falling out of favour on the Etihad, with the Spain worldwide – who may command a price of round £40m – having been restricted to simply 12 Premier League appearances in 2022/23.
Having beforehand been hailed because the “finest left central defender on the planet” by Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola, the five-time Premier League winner may little doubt carry some high quality and expertise to Postecoglou’s ranks.
If, nevertheless, the brand new Spurs boss is on the lookout for a younger, long-term choice on the coronary heart of the defence, he may properly discover a dream various to Laporte within the type of Roma’s Roger Ibanez.
Who’s Roger Ibanez?
The 24-year-old centre-back has been a central determine for the Serie A aspect since becoming a member of on an preliminary mortgage deal from Atalanta again in the summertime of 2020, with latest stories in Italy having advised that Tottenham at the moment are main the race for the Brazilian’s signature.
The idea is that the Italian outfit may very well be open to promoting the two-cap worldwide this summer time in an effort to assist stability the books, with a price of round €40m (£34m) having been advised with simply two years left to run on his present deal.
Very similar to Laporte – who stands at 6 foot 2 – the 6 foot 1 ace is an imposing presence within the defensive unit on the Stadio Olimpico, having sometimes operated on the left of a again three throughout his time beneath present boss, Jose Mourinho.
Lauded as “untouchable” by the previous Spurs head coach, Ibanez has showcased his ball-winning prowess of late as he ranks within the prime 3% amongst his European friends for tackles made in addition to within the prime 18% for interceptions, whereas Laporte, against this, ranks in simply the underside 1% and the underside 3% for those self same two metrics, respectively.
Whereas maybe not fairly as adept at taking part in out from the again because the Metropolis ace – who ranks within the prime 1% for each progressive carries and progressive passes – the one-time Fluminense man continues to be snug on the ball as he ranks within the prime 23% for profitable take-ons, a greater document than that of his counterpart (backside 38%).
Ibanez would additionally supply the advantage of his superior menace in an attacking sense as he ranks within the prime 8% for complete pictures and within the prime 19% for non-penalty targets, whereas Laporte ranks in simply the highest 20% for complete pictures and the underside 20% for non-penalty targets.
With the latter man additionally enduring his fair proportion of harm woes in recent times throughout his time in England, it may properly be the case that the Roma rock represents a great various for Postecoglou and co.
