Soccer

Tottenham ‘hoping to strike deal’ with Mourinho with duo set to worsen situation

Tottenham are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements in January and are reportedly hoping to strike up a deal with former Spurs manager Jose Mourinho, now of AS Roma, for one of his midfielders. 

Ange Postecoglou’s side is set to be without Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma for a month as they fly out to the Ivory Coast for the African Cup of Nations at the start of next year. The midfield duo have been crucial to Spurs’ stability in the centre of the park this season and will be sorely missed.

Tottenham attacking midfielder James Maddison is also out for the rest of this year with an ankle issue amid an ongoing injury crisis at the club. The Englishman was withdrawn from his international duties ahead of the Three Lions’ upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia with his injury said to be worse than initially thought.

To add further complications to the situation, stalwart Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg may be on the move in January. Fulham and Atletico Madrid tried to snap him up this summer and are set to renew their interest in the New Year.

It is therefore a top priority for Tottenham to sign another midfielder in the winter transfer window. According to Italian publication Il Romanista, Roma’s Bryan Cristante is near the top of the Premier League side’s shortlist.

He is a key figure in Mourinho’s side and only recently signed a contract extension in June of this year meaning Spurs will have to pull out all the stocks if they hope to acquire his services. The Italian giants aren’t keen on letting him go but a £26.1million (30 million euros) bid is understood to be enough to make them think otherwise. 

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“Roma has become my second family,” the Italy international told the club’s official website after putting pen to paper on a new contract set to run until June 2027. “I wanted to sign a new contract and I’m really happy now that it’s done. I’d like to thank the owners and the club for this extension.

“I’ve been here a few years now and had the privilege of witnessing the progress made by the team and the club first-hand.  I’ll carry on giving my all for the Giallorossi colours and for our fans – they’re very demanding but they give back more than they ask for.” 

Tottenham’s new all-white kit doesn’t deviate from the traditional Spurs style. The fresh look for the 2023/2024 season features navy cuffs and a pattern that runs throughout the kit that is said to be inspired by the music scene and eclectic streetwear of the Tottenham

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