Pochettino wants two new centre-backs
Mauricio Pochettino has identified the Tottenham defence as a major area of weakness which will come as no surprise to fans.
Having arrived from Southampton at the end of May, Pochettino, Baldini and Levy sat down and thrashed out transfer plans for the summer. The two area that were identified as top priority were centre-back and left-back with a striker also required.
Plans can always go awry with players wanting to move but centre-back was an area of huge concern. Tottenham have had problems with injuries there since Harry Redknapp was boss and William Gallas was with us. Generally Spurs have had to rely on Michael Dawson to hold the defence together.
Last summer Vlad Chiricheș arrived but the Romanian captain has failed to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. Younès Kaboul has failed to find any form and has big question marks against him while Michael Dawson is certainly not getting any quicker.
Southampton were contacted asking for permission to speak to Dejan Lovren and they denied Spurs permission so Lovren immediately handed in a transfer request. Southampton refused to even acknowledge it but Lovren's agent has made it clear his client is not staying with the South coast club.
Liverpool were interested but only want to pay £12 million (€15.01m) for a player who cost Saints £8.8 million (€11m) from Lyon on the opening day of the transfer window in Europe (1st July) last year.
According to the Croatian media Tottenham have made an offer of £15 million (€18.77m) to capture the right footed centre-back and expect to talk with the 24 year-olds agents next week to discuss terms.
That however is not where Pochettino wants to stop. Dejan Lovren plays He also wants to bring in a second centre-back with 26 year-old Héctor Moreno top of the list. Dejan Lovren is a right-footed centre-back, Héctor Moreno is a left-footed centre-back.
With Jan Vertonghen staying Moreno and Vertonghen would cover the left side and Lovren plus one of Dawson, Kaboul, Chiricheș to cover the right side.
Pochettino and Baldini flew to Barcelona, Moreno's club Espanyol are based in Barcelona, to meet club officials. While he is at the World Cup in Brazil Moreno has left his future totally in the hands of his agents.
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Pochettino signed Moreno for Espanyol and is looking to solidify Spurs leaky defence with two players he knows well. Who leaves will depend upon what deals can be concluded.
The Tottenham defence could be Kyle Walker, covered by Kyle Naughton, Dejan Lovren covered by one of Michael Dawson, Younès Kaboul or Vlad Chiricheș, Jan Vertonghen covered by Héctor Moreno and a new left-back covered by Danny Rose. Zeki Fryers would provide cover for left-back and centre-back.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto would be allowed to leave if a left-back is signed.
Having arrived from Southampton at the end of May, Pochettino, Baldini and Levy sat down and thrashed out transfer plans for the summer. The two area that were identified as top priority were centre-back and left-back with a striker also required.
Plans can always go awry with players wanting to move but centre-back was an area of huge concern. Tottenham have had problems with injuries there since Harry Redknapp was boss and William Gallas was with us. Generally Spurs have had to rely on Michael Dawson to hold the defence together.
Last summer Vlad Chiricheș arrived but the Romanian captain has failed to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. Younès Kaboul has failed to find any form and has big question marks against him while Michael Dawson is certainly not getting any quicker.
Southampton were contacted asking for permission to speak to Dejan Lovren and they denied Spurs permission so Lovren immediately handed in a transfer request. Southampton refused to even acknowledge it but Lovren's agent has made it clear his client is not staying with the South coast club.
Liverpool were interested but only want to pay £12 million (€15.01m) for a player who cost Saints £8.8 million (€11m) from Lyon on the opening day of the transfer window in Europe (1st July) last year.
According to the Croatian media Tottenham have made an offer of £15 million (€18.77m) to capture the right footed centre-back and expect to talk with the 24 year-olds agents next week to discuss terms.
That however is not where Pochettino wants to stop. Dejan Lovren plays He also wants to bring in a second centre-back with 26 year-old Héctor Moreno top of the list. Dejan Lovren is a right-footed centre-back, Héctor Moreno is a left-footed centre-back.
With Jan Vertonghen staying Moreno and Vertonghen would cover the left side and Lovren plus one of Dawson, Kaboul, Chiricheș to cover the right side.
Pochettino and Baldini flew to Barcelona, Moreno's club Espanyol are based in Barcelona, to meet club officials. While he is at the World Cup in Brazil Moreno has left his future totally in the hands of his agents.
Recent Stories:
Should Redknapp face an FA disrepute charge? Remember Sutton?
Spurs results before & after Europa League ties
Assou-Ekotto explains headbutt
Tottenham monitoring Argentina left-back Marcos Rojo
Paulinho - It never crossed my mind to leave Spurs
Statistical look at centre-back transfer targets, who comes out best?
Radamel Falcao turns down Tottenham
Bale aims for Ballon d'Or
Pochettino signed Moreno for Espanyol and is looking to solidify Spurs leaky defence with two players he knows well. Who leaves will depend upon what deals can be concluded.
The Tottenham defence could be Kyle Walker, covered by Kyle Naughton, Dejan Lovren covered by one of Michael Dawson, Younès Kaboul or Vlad Chiricheș, Jan Vertonghen covered by Héctor Moreno and a new left-back covered by Danny Rose. Zeki Fryers would provide cover for left-back and centre-back.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto would be allowed to leave if a left-back is signed.
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