Four transfer targets to help Tottenham Hotspur reach the next level.
To say this is a huge summer for Tottenham Hotspur would be an understatement. This is the transfer window for the club to build Jose Mourinho’s vision.
The 2019/20 season didn’t go according to plan with Mauricio Pochettino sacked just months after helping Spurs reach the Champions League final, and Tottenham, under Mourinho, were up-and-down. But the time to really judge Mourinho’s results begins next season. Only then will he have had time to target the players he wants.
With the transfer window now open, Spurs will be in the market to improve their squad, something they need to do if they have any plans of making it back into the Champions League. They will sit out of the competition next season as a result of finishing sixth in the Premier League, but they have secured a spot in the Europa League via the second qualifying round.
We shouldn’t expect Spurs to go out and spend big money, not unless they also sell a key player, but there are moves to be made that can help the club push on in the Premier League next season.
Here are four transfer targets that would help Tottenham reach the next level in the 2020/21 season.
Max Aarons
Spurs could once again need a new right back next season. They haven’t found a long-term starter at the position since Kyle Walker left, and it now looks possible Serge Aurier could leave this summer. Aurier has been linked to AC Milan, which would leave Spurs needing a replacement at right back.
One option would be to go with Kyle Walker-Peters, who impressed on loan at Southampton this season. But there’s no guarantee Walker-Peters would be the answer, and Spurs would still lack depth at right back.
Right back Max Aarons could be on the move after Norwich were relegated to the Championship. The England Under-21 international is a future star and should be playing in the Premier League, and Norwich’s relegation should draw interest from a number of clubs.
Aarons made 36 appearances for Norwich this past season and can be a star in the Premier League.
This is exactly the type of move Mourinho and Spurs should go for this summer. A talented, young player who can develop into a great player. And given the situation with Norwich going down, the transfer fee should be affordable for Tottenham. The move would be a big step up for Aarons, and he’d help Spurs fix their defense.
Jack Grealish
This is a move Tottenham came close to — and should’ve pulled off — a couple of years ago. The opportunity looked to have gone last season when Aston Villa were promoted to the Premier League, and now looks difficult again with Villa surviving relegation on the final day of the season.
It’s entirely possible Jack Grealish will stay at Villa for another year, at least, but would he be interested in moving? Villa are likely to be in the middle of a relegation battle again next season and are a long way off getting back up near the European spots in the Premier League table. With a move to Spurs, Grealish would get regular playing time and could be the missing piece Spurs need to get back into the Champions League.
Grealish made 36 appearances for Villa in the Premier League this season, scoring eight goals and making six assists. Spurs could do with another creative midfielder, something they lost when they sold Christian Eriksen, and Grealish would be a great signing.
Pulling off the move won’t be easy. If Villa do agree to sell Grealish, Spurs would likely face competition from a number of other Premier League clubs. But if Tottenham can make the deal, Grealish would be one of the signings of the summer.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
One player Spurs have been linked to all summer long is Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
According to Sky Sports, Tottenham are “edging closer” to a deal for the Saints star and have offered £15 million so far. A potential deal could see right back Kyle Walker-Peters, who has been with Southampton on loan, sent the other way.
Hotspur HQ’s Aaron Coe wrote about why Hojbjerg would be a great signing for Tottenham, including his impressive tackling.
The fact is, Tottenham desperately need to get better in the middle of the midfield. Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama used to dominate in the middle, often breaking up opposition breaks, while Dembele was great with the ball at his feet and linking up play to Dele Alli and Harry Kane.
Signing Hojbjerg would be a great move by Tottenham. Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks are both good players, but Spurs need to improve in central midfield. And who knows what’s next for Tanguy Ndombele? Hojbjerg would regularly be in Mourinho’s starting lineup. He makes tackles, breaks up opposition attacks, and wins the ball. He’s exactly the type of player that Tottenham needs.
Spurs were far too shaky at the back last season with only eight clean sheets in the Premier League, fifth-lowest. Adding Hojbjerg to the midfield would help that.
Callum Wilson
How long have Tottenham needed a consistent backup striker to Harry Kane? It’s a discussion we all seem to have every year. If Kane gets injured — which has unfortunately happened too often in recent years — who can step in and replace him?
Son Heung-min has proven he can play as the lone striker, but his number one position is on the left. Lucas Moura has also played up front, but again it’s not his main position.
What Tottenham need is a striker who can start, consistently score goals, while also being an impact player off the bench.
But it’s difficult to find a striker willing to not start every week. It’s why I can’t see Spurs signing Troy Deeney, as great as that would be. Deeney would start for a number of clubs, so why sit on the bench at Tottenham?
According to Sky Sports, Spurs are one of the clubs interested in signing Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson. With Bournemouth relegated to the Championship, it’s possible their top players will look for moves back into the Premier League. With 22 goals in the past two seasons, Wilson would give Tottenham another goal-scoring option.
Wilson might prefer to sign with a team where he’d start every week, but if Spurs can sign him, the Bournemouth striker would be a great addition. A player who can come off the bench and score goals, while also being able to start games.