OPINION
Tottenham might have been blessed with midfield talent over the last couple of years, but manager Mauricio Pochettino may well be looking for another if things go as expected.
Belgian enforcer Mousa Dembele, a firm favourite at the north London outfit, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Lilywhites this summer as he enters the final year of his contract, and losing him would be a big blow to the club’s hopes of future success.
Dembele possesses a skill set far ahead in terms of quality over his counterparts in the Spurs midfield, bringing a power and imposing presence as well as great technique and vision with the ball at his feet and while some of Pochettino’s other options might possess one or the other, no one can do it as well as the Belgium star.
Finding a replacement will be no easy task, but with the Lilywhites reportedly in the hunt for Colombia enforcer Wilmar Barrios, they might be onto their long term replacement – although they face competition for his capture.
TyC Sports claim that Everton and Chelsea have joined the race for the 24-year-old, who was one of his country’s stand out performers in Russia, and that he has a £15.9million (€18million) release clause in his contract.
For that sort of money, having seen his performances on the world stage, Spurs are on course – with Marca Colombia claiming they have held talks with his family over a move for his capture – for an absolute bargain if they can prise him from Boca Juniors – although it is said that he will only be available for purchase from January.
He might not be as imposing a presence as Dembele, but he has the same quick feet and ability both on and off the ball, and would be a worth competitor with Eric Dier for a defensive midfield role in the starting XI.
Spurs need to beat anyone and everyone to his capture, for he is the natural successor to Dembele – and for a bargain price at that.