Double Tottenham raid explodes into life, with talks to open for £60m ace and Fulham star ‘decides to leave’
A trusted source has confirmed Tottenham are sizing up a Fulham defender who’s “decided to leave”, while a second raid will take even greater priority, per reports.
Tottenham’s No 1 aim in the transfer market this summer is retaining the services of Harry Kane. Spurs’ all-time leading scorer will turn 30 in July, though remains at the peak of his powers and fending off interest from Man Utd is a must.
However, bubbling under the surface is an impending defensive revamp, with the Telegraph recently detailing who could depart.
Clement Lenglet is unlikely to be brought back on board following a mixed loan spell from Barcelona. Elsewhere, Tottenham will reportedly listen to offers for Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Ben Davies.
Joe Rodon is another whose future is up in the air. The 25-year-old Welshman saw a permanent move to French side Rennes collapse earlier this month.
One look at last season’s Premier League table indicates why Ange Postecoglou hopes to overhaul his defensive ranks.
Indeed, Spurs’ mark of 63 goals conceded was sixth-worst in the league last term. The teams to concede more finished 15th, 16th, 18th 19th and 20th.
Tottenham eyeing new-look central defence
On the subject of who Postecoglou will turn to, Sky Sports recently reported Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo is in the Australian’s sights.
Adarabioyo, 25, has been a regular starter during each of his three campaigns at Craven Cottage since leaving Man City in 2020.
However, with just 12 months remaining on his current deal, both Sky Sports and now Fabrizio Romano report Adarabioyo is gunning for a new challenge.
Romano tweeted Adarabioyo has “decided to leave” Fulham and the former City centre-back is “one of the options monitored by Tottenham”.
How much Adarabioyo might cost wasn’t speculated, though Transfermarkt list a valuation of around £14m. Adarabioyo’s contract situation and desire to leave will also weaken Fulham’s bargaining power.
However, a player who is a greater priority signing for Tottenham is Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba – also a centre-half.
The Burkina Faso international, 24, is under contract with Leverkusen until 2026, having joined them in January 2020.
He played 47 times for Leverkusen across all competitions last season, helping Xabi Alonso’s side secure Europa League qualification.
Arsenal have shown interest in Tapsoba in the past, though per Romano, it’s Tottenham who look likelier to make a move.
Romano said on his YouTube channel: “Keep an eye on Tottenham for Tapsoba because he’s one of the players they’re following since a long time. Both Arsenal and Tottenham sent their scouts to follow Tapsoba.
“Tottenham are very strong on him, from what I’m told.”
In a subsequent update, Romano stressed Tapsoba is “top” of Tottenham’s centre-back list and talks over bringing him to north London will take place in the coming days.
Arsenal were previously quoted a price of around £60m when enquiring into a Tapsoba move back in 2022.
Given his fine displays since then, it’s unlikely his price tag has decreased.
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