Journalist Dean Jones has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur have informally briefed the media that their budget won’t allow them to sign both Edmond Tapsoba and Micky van de Ven this summer.
Jones provided an update on Tottenham’s search for a new centre-back on his Ranks FC Patreon page, where he discussed the club’s interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Tapsoba and Wolfsburg defender Van de Ven.
Tottenham have enjoyed an encouraging start to the summer window by bringing in Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison and Manor Solomon already.
Spurs have addressed two key areas of the pitch by bringing in some much-needed creativity in midfield while securing Hugo Lloris’ long-term replacement.
But after Tottenham conceded a staggering total of 63 goals in the Premier League last season, you’d expect the club to focus on their backline next.
Postecoglou’s men have been heavily linked with moves for both Tapsoba and Van de Ven, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that talks for both players are ongoing.
And while many fans are hoping the club move to bring in both players, it seems that Tottenham are set to decide between the duo, with Van de Ven the ‘most likely’ to end up at Spurs at this stage.
What Tottenham have said about signing Tapsoba and Van de Ven
Jones claims there has been an ‘informal briefing’ from Tottenham that their budget won’t stretch to snapping up Tapsoba and Van de Ven.
“Obviously they are on a centre-half hunt at the moment,” the journalist wrote.
“Micky van de Ven is the one most likely to sign, but it is interesting that they have continued to negotiate with Edmond Tapsoba at the same time.
“There has been informal briefing that Spurs’ budget won’t stretch to both.”
Tapsoba seems to be more of the finished article than Van de Ven as he’s been a long-established part of Leverkusen’s backline.
The 24-year-old possesses excellent abilities on the ball and would fit into Postecoglou’s system perfectly.
As for Van de Ven, he’s also very capable with the ball at his feet and boasts exceptional pace. He’s less experienced than Tapsoba though, with just 28 Bundesliga appearances to his name in comparison to the Leverkusen man’s 100.
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It would be brilliant to see the club move for both players considering the need to upgrade Postecoglou’s defensive options.
The likes of Joe Rodon, Japhet Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez are all facing uncertain futures at the club.
Van de Ven is also capable of filling in at left-back, which could allow both players into Postecoglou’s side.
But for the time being, it looks as if only one of the duo will arrive in North London.
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