Tottenham are readying a £35.5million (€40million) bid in January for Napoli and Brazil midfielder Allan as a replacement to fill the boots of senior star Mousa Dembele, according to Calcio Napoli 24.
The Italian news outlet claim that the Lilywhites are set to lose the Belgian enforcer, with China looking like a potential destination, and as such are seeking another midfielder to take his place in north London.
The report claims that Mauricio Pochettino’s men are lining up a bid for the newly-capped Brazil star, who made his first international appearance in mid-November this year, but that the Italian side are not open to letting the 27-year-old leave.
Good move for Tottenham?
Spurs certainly need someone to fill the gaping hole that Mousa Dembele’s exit will leave, for they have no one of a similar mould on their books right now.
Allan has obviously done enough with Napoli to catch the attention of his country’s selectors and he certainly fits the bill for what Spurs are looking for.
He is a powerful, energetic talent in the middle of the park and has a lot of the same qualities as Dembele.
At 27, he is being signed for the here and now rather than to develop as a future talent and that is why Spurs seem willing to pay the big money price tag being quoted in the report.
This is Futbol rating: 7.5/10
Likely to happen?
Spurs might well have cash ready to slap on the table but it seems as though Napoli are not willing to listen to what they might have to offer.
Tottenham know that signing a Dembele replacement sooner rather than later will boost their chances of success and so if they cannot convince the Italians to let him go easily, then they could well head elsewhere.
As much as they might want him, this looks an unlikely deal.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10