OPINION
Having been released by Manchester City, Yaya Toure looked destined for West Ham, as reported by the Sun, but they have now reportedly performed a u-turn and are refusing to give the 35-year-old a lifeline – something Tottenham must take advantage of.
The central midfielder’s contract ended this summer, and the Hammers looked certain to sign him before he made a scathing attack on Pep Guardiola – claiming that the City boss has problems with African players.
However, Spurs must ignore this fiasco and sign Toure for themselves, in order to provide a short-term solution to their central midfield.
Mousa Dembele looks set to leave North London, and boss Mauricio Pochettino will require an experienced and suitable replacement to keep his centre of midfield at full strength.
Toure fits the bill perfectly, having been touted as one of the Premier League’s most solid passmasters in recent seasons based on his exploits for Manchester City, despite being ousted by Guardiola last season.
When playing regularly like he did in the 2016/2017 season, Toure averages about seven to eight goals in a campaign, and is notorious for being the vital link between the midfield and attack.
On his day, he is capable of controlling the midfield superbly, denying the opponents a chance to pass the ball around freely – and Spurs would be a formidable force if Toure joined and replicated this form.
He is 35-years-old, but he certainly has at least two years of playing ahead of him – and Pochettino should take advantage of this as a short-term solution before he seeks out a younger, long-term replacement for Dembele.
Toure is a formidable opponent, and any of the top-four clubs would be lucky to have him amongst their ranks – as such Spurs must snap him up on a free transfer, in what could be a major coup for Pochettino.