Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou will have the opportunity to strengthen his squad when the January transfer window opens in a few weeks’ time.
Spurs have blown hot and cold this season, and there’s no doubt that the club could do with some more strength in depth.
Tottenham’s defence is in need of bolstering, with Spurs’ decision not to bring in any new centre-backs in summer having come back to haunt them.
The Spurs News spoke to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, who revealed that Tottenham have placed a very talented young centre-back on their transfer wish list.
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Tottenham place Matte Smets on their transfer wish list
The player in question is Genk defender Matte Smets, who has been making waves in the Belgian top flight.
Smets is just 20 years old, but has already made a combined 74 appearances for Genk and previous club Sint-Truidense.
In addition, he has already won his first cap for Belgium, getting 45 minutes under his belt in November’s UEFA Nations League loss to Israel.
Bailey said Tottenham have added Smets to their wish list and, though he’s not expected to leave in January, Spurs will be keeping tabs on him.
“Smets is emerging as a huge talent,” Bailey told The Spurs News.
“Genk are playing really well and it is not a shock that Tottenham are amongst the Premier League clubs taking a keen interest in their progress.
“Smets has been a big part of their season. Only signed in the summer, he has also been recognised by Belgium.
“Spurs are in the market for a central defender and Smets has been added to their list. He is not going to leave in January, but Spurs are keeping an eye on him.”
Tottenham have also been linked with Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Who is Tottenham target Matte Smets?
Born on 4 January 2004 in the Belgian town of Bilzen, Smets began his football journey with Genk before joining Sint-Truidense’s academy in 2018.
He rose through the ranks at the Limburg-based club before joining Genk in 2024 for a fee reported to be in the region of £2million.
Smets has helped Genk go top of the Jupiler Pro League, starting 14 of the club’s 16 top-flight games so far this season.
Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout has described the reported Tottenham target as a “complete and elegant CB”.
Kulig also likened Smets’ style of play to that of Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain icon Marquinhos.
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