Tottenham have tabled a last-ditch bid worth £35.9million for Inter Milan playmaker Marcelo Brozovic as the transfer deadline approaches, according to Sportske Novosti.
The Croatian news outlet claims on their website that while Brozovic, 25, wants to quit the San Siro, Inter have rejected Spurs’ offer with the midfielder having a £44.9million release clause tied into his contract.
Brozovic has been in dazzling form over the last 12 months.
The Inter pass master helped Croatia to the World Cup final in Russia and was been in good form at club level as last season he scored four goals and supplied nine assists in 33 appearances across all competitions.
He had a pass accuracy of 86.8% at the World Cup and 87.9% in the Serie A last season (WhoScored).
Good move for Tottenham?
Brozovic is a brilliant playmaker and would be a top signing by Mauricio Pochettino, however the Croatia international is not exactly the kind of midfielder that Spurs need at the moment.
While it would not go amiss to add some more quality to the squad, Spurs’ priorities should really be to sign a midfielder who is more defence-minded as Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama have been prone to some poor performances in the last year or so.
Mousa Dembele may also leave North London as he is in the final year of his contract, so someone a bit more physical with a high work-rate is needed.
Brozovic is a top player, but is a much more attack-minded midfielder than what Pochettino is in need of right now.
He would be more of a back-up option to Christian Eriksen.
This is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
With Inter already rejecting Spurs’ opening bid of £35.9million, it’s hard to see Daniel Levy splashing the cash on meeting his release clause before the transfer deadline at 5pm on Thursday.
The Serie A giants will probably not settle for anything less than £44.9million so Spurs fans should probably forget about seeing Brozovic in their famous white kit any time soon.
This is Futbol rating 2/10