Tottenham: Three Possible January Transfer Targets for Spurs
By Aaron Coe
With the January transfer window approach, rumors are starting to spring up about players possibly being targeted by Mourinho and Tottenham, here are three.
Yesterday HotspurHQ looked at a few players who may be on the way out of Tottenham, today we look for some possible new recruits for N17. Tottenham Hotspur have a lot of competition already in the squad and do not have many if any holes to fill in January – although injury could change that. That said, center-half and creativity in attack are two areas where Tottenham can never be overstocked. With that in mind, we look at a few players across those two positions that have been linked with Spurs in recent weeks.
Nikola Milenkovic – Center-half
Despite signing Joe Rodon at the end of the window, Tottenham has had to resort to using Ben Davies at center-half multiple times this season. With Alderweireld getting no young, Tanganga often injured, and questions about Davinson Sanchez, Spurs still need more cover here. We have heard talk about Antonio Rudiger and Milan Skriniar, but it is the young Serbian defender who really should be getting the attention. Milenkovic is bigger than both Rudiger and Skriniar at an imposing 1.95 meters and is younger than both Rudiger (27) and Skriniar (25) at 23 years of age as well.
According to La Nazione.com via The Boot Room Spurs have been linked with a move for the Fiorentina defender. Interestingly about Milenkovic, is that while he plays primarily at center-half he also plays occasionally at right back. While Spurs are not looking for a right back – currently – we point this out because it speaks to his athleticism and ability to defend in space, which are key to a Mourinho defense.
Milenkovic is solid in the tackle, and a good reader of the game, making him effective at intercepting play and at clearing the ball. Maybe the best thing about him, is that one of his main strengths is his concentration and focus, which are key to defenders and is something Spurs need more of. Nikola hits a decent long ball and is a solid passer overall, with 26 caps for Serbia, he is young, big, effective, and not yet overpriced. This is one rumor that we should hope gets louder.