Another rumour is developing with a week left in the transfer period, as Tottenham are reportedly contemplating making a move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
The last week of the transfer period is usually chockfull of late-breaking news, confirmed deals, even a few surprises.
Amrabat’s link to Spurs is one of those surprises that has come out of left field. Fabrizio Romano tweeted about the prospective deal yesterday afternoon, so watch the airwaves fill with Amrabat-to-Spurs news quicker than the London Underground overflows as the sun rises.
Tottenham are considering options to replace Tanguy Ndombele if he joins PSG on loan. Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is one of the players in the list. ⚪️ #THFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 23, 2022
Nothing decided or agreed yet. Many candidates, Spurs will decide this week. @MatteMoretto @SkySport
The rumour comes as a surprise not only because it’s the first time Amrabat has been firmly linked to Spurs, but also because of the 25 year old’s position. Amrabat is a defensive central midfielder, not exactly the creative maestro Tottenham are in desperate need of.
The holding midfielder’s best offensive output came as a Utrecht player, where he assisted 10 times and scored once in 54 appearances for the Eredivisie side between 2014 and 2017. In his 45 appearances at Fiorentina, he has yet to register a goal or assist.
The embodiment of a holding midfielder, Amrabat is out of favour at Fiorentina and hasn’t been selected as part of the match day squad four consecutive contests. He has appeared in 11 of Fiorentina’s 22 Serie matches, which includes just one start. His other 10 appearances have come off the bench.
His current valuation, via Transfermarkt.com, is set at about £9 million.
The rumour, with Pierre Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks all at Conte’s disposal in the heart of midfield, becomes even more of a head scratcher. It’s as perplexing as Paul Tierney’s decision to disallow Harry Kane‘s goal yesterday at the Bridge.
Though the gaffer wants two tailor-fitted specialists for each role, so, in that context, bringing Amrabat to Spurs does make sense.
Even with that notion in mind, it’s still a bit of weird one. But in Conte we trust.
So either there’s a method to the genius gaffer’s madness, or this rumour lacks veracity. But how could that be? It’s come directly from the all-knowing transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano himself.
Or am I missing something?