OPINION
With Mousa Dembele possibly on the way out of Tottenham this summer, it should come as no surprise to see reports and rumours of Mauricio Pochettino looking at sealing a long term replacement.
The Belgian enforcer has been one of Spurs’ most consistent performers in the middle of the park and no one at the north London outfit possesses the same attributes and quality that he does – which is why losing him would be a big blow.
Finding someone who can fill the massive shoes which look set to be left by Dembele’s departure is no easy task, and when there are so many rivals for players out there, turning a top target into a sealed deal is by no means a certainty.
That looks to be the case with Adrien Rabiot, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, with Spanish publication Sport claiming that Spurs have shelved a £26.5million (€30million) bid for his capture as a result of Barcelona’s pursuit for his signature.
With midfield reinforcements still needed, Pochettino should turn his attentions over to Germany, specifically Borussia Dortmund, with 22-year-old Julian Weigl a fine fit for him and his squad.
The young defensive midfielder, who has five caps for Germany, is a combative force in the centre of the park, but at the same time possesses the same vision and technique that makes Dembele such a talent in the middle.
If Spurs were willing to offer £26.5million for Rabiot, then they should be putting that money into an offer for Weigl’s capture, and while he might be reluctant to leave his homeland, the opportunity to mount a bid for the Premier League could tempt him.
He is the ideal long term replacement for Dembele, and Pochettino should waste no time in launching a raid for his signing.