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Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino Scouting Vincent Janssen

By Alexander Balano

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Mauricio Pochettino (C) manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Britannia Stadium on April 18, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Mauricio Pochettino (C) manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Britannia Stadium on April 18, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Yesterday during an international friendly between the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands, Tottenham Hotspur manager, Mauricio Pochettino, head of recruitment, Paul Mitchell, and assistant head coach Jesús Pérez were in attendance scouting Vincent Janssen.

At first glance, with the three men sitting next to Pat Dolan, Shane Long’s agent, many were speculating on social media that Tottenham were interested in the 29-year-old Southampton striker.

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The Irish center-forward would have made sense because Mauricio Pochettino, Paul Mitchell and Jesús Pérez all worked with him during their time together with the Saints, prior to joining Spurs.

However at the age of 29 and no possible re-sell value, other than having a capable super sub to spell Harry Kane once in a while on Pochettino’s squad, Shane Long wasn’t going to be a legitimate transfer target — unless all else fails.

Instead, it was Dutch striker, Vincent Janssen, that Tottenham were scouting.

Vincent Janssen of AZ Alkmaar during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AZ and PEC Zwolle at the AFAS stadium on april 16, 2016 in Alkmaar, the Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Vincent Janssen of AZ Alkmaar during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AZ and PEC Zwolle at the AFAS stadium on april 16, 2016 in Alkmaar, the Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /

According to Sky Sports, they have been informed through their sources from the Netherlands that Janssen is being targeted by a number of Premier League clubs with Tottenham and current champions, Leicester City, in the mix.

What makes this move even more plausible is the fact that Vincent Janssen is keen on a move to England.

At just 21-years-old, the AZ Alkmaar striker was the top goalscorer this past season with 27 goals. While the Eredivisie isn’t necessarily considered among the top European leagues, it is known for helping develop plenty of young promising stars (alongside the Belgian Pro League).

So that in of itself is already good enough to target Vincent Janssen.

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For starters, his age is already suitable to Mauricio Pochettino’s preference for the striker position: a young center-forward to pair alongside Harry Kane (22).

Another striker who fits the bill is Olympique Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi who is set to leave at the conclusion of the European Championship.

Last but not least, Callum Wilson of Bournemouth is one more striker that Tottenham seem to have an interest in. At 24, Wilson would be the senior striker by default, but his talents alone — despite an ACL injury after a productive start to his season this past term — makes him worth a gamble.

Paul Mitchell has already seen Batshuayi recently in the French Cup final, which Marseille lost 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain, but it shows that Spurs are very serious in their attempts to lure the Belgian striker to Tottenham and reunite him with his compatriots. While having two quality strikers in the same team, and possibly playing up top together.

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Along with needing a striker which is one of Tottenham’s main priorities to address this summer, Sky Sports‘ Lyall Thomas mentions other positions to bolster:

“Sky sources understand that Spurs also want to bolster further attacking-midfield, defensive-midfield and centre-back options in the next transfer window and the Dutch national team have other talented young players including Ajax midfielder Riechedly Bazoer.”

Whoever Tottenham’s five-man transfer committee targets this summer, one place to look at is definitely the Eredivisie and/or the Belgian Pro League if Spurs want some young prospects to help add to their already current contingent of a young squad whose average age is just under 25.