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Tottenham Hotspur Links: Spurs Sign Under-17 World Cup Star

By Alexander Balano

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Here’s another early afternoon edition of Tottenham Hotspur Links.

Plenty of news today and it starts with Tottenham signing an Under-17 World Cup star. Next, there’s a major injury regarding one of West Ham United’s star players ahead of a London derby against Spurs. Finally, Son Heung-min made a cameo appearance for South Korea, Spurs are still interested in Saido Berahino and Sunderland goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, is being scouted by Tottenham. It’s time to get to the links below.

During the Under-17 World Cup that just wrapped up recently, Victor Osimhen, blew up in the World Cup by scoring 10 goals, with two assists and earning the Silver Ball award (for being the second best player in the U-17 World Cup) and winning the Golden Boot award (for being the top goalscorer in the U-17 World Cup).

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In 71 games for Nigeria, Victor Osimhen has scored 39 goals… and he’s 16-years-old. Another major accomplishment for Osimhen, is how he became the top goalscorer for the Under-17 African Championship this year with four goals scored. To sum up, Victor Osimhen is a talented footballer who has an eye for goals, but won’t reach Spurs’ first team for a couple of years yet — in due time he will.

Dimitri Payet suffered a major ankle injury against Everton last weekend in a 1-1 draw, after midfielder James McCarthy went in for a tackle. It comes as terrible news for a West Ham team that has become one of the pleasant surprises this season. According to Stijn Vandenbroucke, the Hammers’ head of medical and sports science, Dimitri Payet could be out until February for a total of 15 games in all competitions.

“Dimitri had a scan on Sunday and we saw the specialist at a central London hospital on Monday. He is scheduled to see the specialist again next Monday. I will be able to give more detail regarding Dimitri’s medical condition following this second meeting, which will decide whether or not he needs to undergo an operation. It is a fact that he will be out until February, whether he has an operation or not.”

Missing 15 games means that Dimitri Payet will not only miss West Ham’s first game against Tottenham, the 28-year-old French international is close to missing the second meeting against Spurs which is on March 1st as well.

South Korea were playing against Myanmar in a World Cup qualifier match today and won 4-0. Two of South Korea’s goals were assisted by Son Heung-min after coming into the game as a second half substitute in the 63rd minute.

After coming into the game, Son’s first assist would be off of a free-kick which was headed in by defender Hyun-soo Jang. Son Heung-min’s second assist was a one-two play with midfielder Tae-hee Nam to increase South Korea’s lead to 4-0.

Tottenham would be glad to see that Son Heung-min didn’t suffer a setback after just returning from injury. Today’s performance for Son, will only increase his confidence and gives Mauricio Pochettino another attacking player to his lineup once the the international break is over and Spurs face West Ham.

Saido Berahino’s contract is expiring in the next 18 months and West Bromwich Albion are hoping to sign the 22-year-old striker to an extension. However, despite four failed transfer bids during this past summer transfer window, Tottenham are reportedly still interested in signing Berahino to help bolster the team’s goal scoring opportunities.

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Along with Spurs, Newcastle United are also interested in the Baggies striker should this contract extension impasse continue for the next 18 months.

In fact, ESPN believes that if Saido Berahino and West Brom aren’t able to agree on an extension, the longer that this situation plays out, it benefits both Spurs and Newcastle to potentially sign the 22-year-old this January.

Sunderland’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, is on Tottenham’s radar to help bolster their keeper options. Although the article states that this potential signing is there to provide cover in case Hugo Lloris leaves next summer. Jordan Pickford, along with Luke McGee, 20, could provide competition to become the team’s new backup keeper which Michel Vorm currently has a firm grip on.

Having an experienced backup like Vorm helps, but the fact that Tottenham are apparently interested in a 21-year-old keeper, could mean that Spurs are looking at backup options rather than replacing their starting goalkeeper.

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If there’s a January move for Jordan Pickford, then it wouldn’t be a bad move for the future. Seeing as the 21-year-old has established himself as Preston North End’s first-choice goalkeeper during his loan spell this season in the Football League Championship. Through the last six league games, Pickford has kept five consecutive clean sheets (two wins and three draws), following a 3-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday.