Analyzing Tottenham’s chances of securing West Ham’s Issa Diop
By Gary Pearson
Speculation of another big money move is making its rounds in north London, with West Ham’s Issa Diop’s name being dropped as Jan Vertonghen’s replacement at Tottenham.
The Sun believes Jose Mourinho is keen on poaching West Ham’s primary defensive asset during the summer transfer window. The £53 million target has a massive upside, but the considerable market valuation of the 23-year-old will act as a stiff impediment to getting the deal across the line.
With the ominous coronavirus cloud lingering and Spurs’ £600 million new stadium debt still outstanding, finances are incredibly tight at Tottenham. That along with the distinct possibility of Spurs not participating in next season’s Champions League could scupper this potential deal before it picks up any steam.
The Sun is renowned for creating sensational, often salacious, headlines to increase its readership, so analyzing each piece on its own merit is an important footnote. However, hypothetically speaking, signing Diop makes sense for Spurs, a club in desperate need of a marshal to lead the rearguard long term.
The £53 million it will cost to land Diop is a significant hurdle, though, as that ballpark figure would constitute the bulk of Tottenham’s accessible funds during the upcoming transfer fee. And this is assuming there will be a traditional transfer period.
If Spurs are going to dish out a large sum of money for any position this summer, it makes sense for it to be on a centre back. It’s a position Mourinho has prioritized, particularly considering Vertonghen’s impending exit.
Toby Alderweireld has another few excellent seasons left in his 31-year-old legs, but securing a long-term leader at the back is essential to the club’s continued success.
A lot has been made of Davinson Sánchez’s inconsistent, oft-erratic, progress. Many believe the Colombian might not be the man to lead Spurs’ back line for years to come. I still think Sanchez can, with the right mentorship and coaching, be one of the world’s best.
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But as with most aspects of modern-day living, many uncertainties and unknowns persist. Diop is the latest in a long line of names rumoured as a potential Vertonghen replacement. We’ll have to see if this rumour has any legs.
If it does, I’ll have to get over the fact that Diop is a Hammer and evaluate the Frenchman on his merit as a highly touted central defender.