Bologna will most likely agree to sell Japanese international Takehiro Tomiyasu if Tottenham increase their bid by just £2 million.
While not the most reputable media outlet, The Express reported that Tottenham recently made a £15 million bid for Tomiyasu, a couple million pounds shy of Bologna’s current valuation of their versatile defender.
It’s highly unlikely that Tottenham will walk away from the negotiating table with such a comparatively small amount preventing this deal from coming to fruition. And while Bologna is not budging, Spurs, even with Daniel Levy’s frugal tendencies, should meet the Italian side’s asking price.
The towering 22-year-old is thought of highly by Fabio Paratici and Nuno Espirito Santo, the latter of whom believes Tomiyasu will offer Tottenham an adaptable presence to strengthen a porous Spurs’ defence.
The Japan international marginally prefers to be deployed as a central defender, though he is also comfortable playing on the right side of a conventional back four. With Nuno expected to employ a preferred back three in a quasi 3-4-3 formation, Tomiyasu fits the bill to be utilized on the right side of a back three.
Who joins Tomiyasu at the heart of Spurs defence is anyone’s guess. Toby Alderweireld, if he stays at Spurs, should be a shoo-in to take his rightful place in the centre of a newly formed back three. Though his future is well and truly up in the air, with popular sentiment believing the Belgian stalwart will most likely depart Hotspur Way. Let’s hope he decides to stay for another season, as his exit would further complicate things in north London.
Joe Rodon is a candidate to start on the left side of the back three, while there is also a case for Ben Davies to be given the opportunity to prove his worth. Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez have a lot to do to prove to their new manager that either have what it takes to infiltrate Nuno’s starting 11.
First things first, though. Tottenham must up the ante to secure Tomiyasu’s signature. And hopefully their first signing of the summer will lead to a collection of other, bigger money moves in the coming weeks.