Tottenham Hotspur pursuing high profile right back

Joao Cancelo, who is seen as Manchester City’s second choice right back behind Kyle Walker, is on Jose Mourinho’s wish list at Tottenham. 

Football365’s recent report states that Mourinho has spoken to City about the prospect of poaching his 25-year-old compatriot. Tottenham are in need of an experienced high profile right back to take the side to the next level, and Mourinho believes strongly Cancelo is the man who can help achieve that long-term goal.

There are a disproportionate amount of roadblocks to this potential deal, though. First, Tottenham would have to pay £51 million for the Portuguese international. Secondly, I find it illogical and unlikely that Pep Guardiola is amenable to selling one of his high priced assets for less than he was worth when City bought him just only five months ago.

While Cancelo moving to north London is unlikely, Spurs do have a couple of things going for them. Cancelo doesn’t like playing second fiddle and is quickly growing restless with his lack of playing time with the champions. He has made only six Premier League appearances thus far, only two of which in a starting role.

And then there’s the Mourinho factor. Mourinho is highly regarded, even venerated, by most Portuguese players, and Cancelo is no exception. His fondness for Mourinho increases slightly the likelihood of this deal happening.

However, not enough for it to become reality. He is the type of right back that would benefit massively the Lilywhites’ overall vitality, but I can’t see City parting ways so quickly with their £60 million asset, even if the net spend, with Danilo going to Juventus in the swap deal, was about £26 million.

So maybe it’s time we cancelo this particular speculation.