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A relatively unknown striker on Tottenham’s transfer radar

By Gary Pearson

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Vedat Muriqi of Kosovo scores his sides third goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier match between England and Kosovo at St. Mary's Stadium on September 10, 2019 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Vedat Muriqi of Kosovo scores his sides third goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier match between England and Kosovo at St. Mary's Stadium on September 10, 2019 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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Turkish journalist Ferudun Nigdelioglu claims that Tottenham have made an initial offer for Fenerbahce striker Vedat Muriqi.

It’s not the first time Muriqi has been linked with a move to Hotspur Way. Rumours ramped up in late September, with the Sun and Daily Mail spearheading the rhetoric.

Fast forward three months and the Sun is at it again. Had the story just been published in the Sun, I’d ask everyone to take these rumours with a grain of salt. But it is being verified by reputable football journalist Nigdelioglu, who has a cult following on Twitter.

You shouldn’t believe everything you read, and I’m not asking you to trust Nigdelioglu’s report simply because he has over 91,000 Twitter followers. Take a moment to admire his Twittersphere celebratory status. Wow, 91.5 thousand followers….

Anyway, there is some veracity and merit to the Muriqi rumours. Mourinho, verified by numerous sources, has previously sent some of his most trusted scouts to spy on Muriqi. The Kosovan, whose contract expires in 2023, is currently worth about £18 million on the open market.

Scoring 10 goals in 17 appearances so far this season with Fenerbahce, the 25-year-old is soaring to new heights. His stature is also growing worldwide, with other clubs staking their interest. Manchester City, Bournemouth and Burnley are all interested in landing the intriguing Kosovan. The 6 foot 4 inch striker towers over most central defenders and has a killer instinct too.

Is he better suited, at 25 years of age, to play Harry Kane’s understudy than elder statesmen Edin Džeko and Dries Mertens?

It’s impossible to answer that question, as there are so many factors at play, like how would he adapt to the Premier League and whether he’d be able to lift his level to match the intensity of England’s top flight, a far superior league to Turkey’s top tier.

He resembles the physical build to Dzeko and is eerily similar in size to former Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente, who stands a near negligible one cm taller.

Muriqi has impressed on the international stage, scoring at St Mary’s in Kosovo’s 5-3 loss to England in September. Ok, don’t get too excited, as he merely had to hold his nerve from the spot.

He looks the part and is affordable, a key factor in purchasing a player who will probably only earn about 10 starts each season.

But is he the one to provide the support Kane so dearly deserves?

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