OPINION
There has been little for Tottenham fans to cheer this summer – other than the likes of Harry Kane and Mauricio Pochettino putting pen to paper on new contracts – and with less than a fortnight until the transfer window shuts, there will be some nerves kicking in around north London.
With not a single new signing to help bolster the Lilywhites’ first team squad, Mauricio Pochettino knows he has to make some exciting captures to appease the desires of the supporters, as well as to help boost his side’s chances of success for the upcoming campaign.
One name which has been widely reported as a potential arrival at the club is that of Aston Villa’s midfield maestro Jack Grealish – although with the Villans’ recent influx of new funds, a deal will not be easy to negotiate.
With that in mind, Pochettino must forget about the Englishman and instead turn his attentions to Sampdoria playmaker Dennis Praet, the Belgian said to be at the centre of a transfer hunt involving some of Spurs’ top flight rivals.
Calcio Mercato claim that north London counterparts Arsenal are plotting a swoop for the 24-year-old, who is said to have a £22million release clause in his contract at the Italian club – but Spurs must hijack any plans the Gunners have of snapping him up.
A versatile player, who was used in a more central role last season, his true talents lie in attack, where he can dictate attacking moves and cut defences open with his vision and technique – not too dissimilar to Christian Eriksen.
While Grealish is a work in progress, Praet is the finished article, and with a valuation not far apart, there should only be one winner in that battle.
Leave the Villa man in the Championship – it’s Praet Spurs should be hunting.