Tottenham Eyeing Palermo Midfielder, Franco Vázquez

Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked to plenty of offensive players, and the latest name on the list is Palermo’s, Franco Vázquez, an Argentine-born Italian attacking midfielder.

It’s no secret that Tottenham are in the market for more attacking options to help bolster their depth at midfield and it seems another target has shown up in Palermo midfielder, Franco Vázquez.

According to the Mirror, the 27-year-old Italian international (who was born in Argentina) has decided that another season away from European competition has made him consider a move away from Serie A side, Palermo, this summer.

In the same article, there are numerous Italian clubs looking to sign Franco Vázquez such as Napoli, Lazio, Roma and even Juventus.

With the Premier League soon to boast plenty of money starting next season, and the fact that Tottenham have qualified for the Champions League, it’s not surprising that Spurs have become a destination for the Italian midfielder.

PALERMO, ITALY – MAY 15: Franco Vazquez of Palermo celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between US Citta di Palermo and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Renzo Barbera on May 15, 2016 in Palermo, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images) /

A brief look at Vázquez’ numbers from this past season shows that he would be a solid addition to help bolster Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for the Champions League.

In 36 Serie A matches (he was suspended for two games due to yellow card accumulation), Franco Vázquez’ scored eight goals and had six assists while playing as a secondary striker for the majority of this past season.

Other positions Vázquez can play in are as a central attacking midfielder and right winger.

To tally eight goals and six assists are very good numbers which are comparable to Érik Lamela who had five goals and nine assists this term to help solidify the right midfield position as his own.

If Pochettino could get a productive player at midfield this summer who can put up numbers like Vázquez did with Palermo, it would be a solid signing.

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Although the Italian midfielder is already 27-years-old, and Tottenham tends to target youth players, they typically try to sign at least one veteran player over the age of 25 for some much needed experience to help teach the young players on the squad.

Even if that seems contrary to what Mauricio Pochettino has shown this season by playing youth players and what Jan Vertonghen said about experience being a bit overrated.

A good example of veteran footballers joining Tottenham would be the signings of Michel Vorm, Federico Fazio and Toby Alderweireld from the past two seasons.

Now, while Alderweireld is the only player to make an impact with the first team, Vorm and Fazio were the “veteran signings” that Mauricio Pochettino made to help boost his squad’s depth while providing experience.

Spurs aren’t immune to signing older players, it just doesn’t happen often enough. Because their philosophy is to favor younger players instead.

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Therefore, Franco Vázquez, for example, would be that one veteran player signed during the summer and let’s say Michy Batshuayi and/or Moussa Dembélé — or both — are brought in. Then that would help balance things out.

A couple of players between the ages of 23-25, like a Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier signing, could help add more depth to the central/defensive midfield position as well as center-back.

These signings are of course all hypothetical. But as you can see, the majority of Tottenham’s signings will be of the youthful variety, but that shouldn’t stop them from signing a player just over 25, seeing as how Toby Alderweireld was 26-years-old last summer when he joined.