Now that the World Cup has been and gone, the transfer window is in full swing. With the lack of activity at Tottenham Hotspur you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise! Nevertheless, it’ll be a big surprise if the transfer window closed on August 9th without any incomings at Tottenham.
As usual, Tottenham have been linked with a host of players from all over Europe. But which ones, if any, will they actually sign in this transfer window? Here are three players who could be wearing Lilywhite next season.
Possible Tottenham Transfer Window Signings
Matthijs de Ligt
Ajax’s 18-year-old defender is already a full international and played nine games in their run to the Europa League final in the 2016/17 season. He featured in 33 Eredivisie matches for Ajax last season, scoring three goals – evidence of his threat from set pieces. Matthijs de Ligt will likely be pursued in the event of Toby Alderweireld leaving North London. De Ligt is a defender that reads the game well. He makes over four clearances per game and stays on his feet rather than diving into tackles. Complemented by his contribution in front of goal, he looks like a ready-made replacement.
With seven caps for his country, this is a player who is already very highly rated. Tottenham have repeatedly raided the Amsterdam club for their top players in recent transfer windows – all of whom have been a success. Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen have been at the club for some time now, while Davinson Sanchez made the switch last summer. Could de Ligt be the next to follow? If he does, expect the fee to be somewhere in the region of the £38m that Sanchez cost Spurs in 2017.
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish seems to have been around for a long time, yet the creative midfielder is just 22-years of age. After making his debut at 18, he’s racked up over 100 appearances and nine goals for Aston Villa. Yet, Grealish has played just 34 games in the Premier League with a solitary goal and assist to his name. These stats are a concern for a player that is likely to cost around £30m in this transfer window.
In the last two Championship seasons, Grealish managed eight goals in 58 appearances, enhancing his reputation as one of Villa’s top players. Last season, the midfielder contributed three goals and six assists in 22 starts as Villa missed out on promotion. However, Grealish was booked six times, indicating a possible disciplinary issue, while his injury record is another area of concern. He missed a large number of games in all four of his full seasons at Villa. Of a possible 171 league games in the last four seasons, Grealish has featured in just 94.
Anthony Martial
A player that Tottenham have been chasing all summer, Anthony Martial would fit the description of ‘marquee signing’. A talent that is wasted under the stifling tactics of Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, Martial cut a frustrated figure for most of last season. Still only 22, the wide forward has completed three seasons in Manchester, scoring 36 goals in 136 games.
Martial’s versatility makes him a big asset. Effective as both a wide or centre-forward and able to play anywhere across the front line, he has a wealth of experience in Europe, having played in both the Champions League and Europa League for three different clubs. Martial won the Europa League with Manchester United in 2017.
Last season, Martial started just 18 games for United with a return of nine goals and five assists. In 12 substitute appearances, he managed four goals and two assists, evidence of his ability as an impact player. He is a player that would help Tottenham break down stubborn defences. As a key player likely to cost a record fee for Tottenham, Martial would expect to feature alongside Heung-min Son, Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura. But will Tottenham sign Martial in this transfer window?
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