Assessing the merit of latest Tottenham transfer rumour

Murmurs have surfaced about Tottenham’s interest in Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, but will they lead to anything concrete? 

Amrabat’s stock soared after enjoying a breakout World Cup with Morocco. The 26-year-old joined the Serie A club 2020 and, toward the latter stages of the 2022-23 campaign, cemented his place as one of their go-to central defensive midfielders.

If he were to join Spurs, he’d invariably play as a No. 6.

Tottenham already has two, potentially three, players expected to battle for that starting role. Yves Bissouma is the favourite to secure the starting position, while Oliver Skipp will do his utmost to make life difficult for the Malian.

Pierre Hojbjerg can also slide into that role, but the Dane is better suited for one of the No. 8 roles alongside Rodrigo Bentancur. On an aside, Hojbjerg’s spot in the starting 11 could be vulnerable as Tottenham searches for a more natural No. 8.

Despite the aforementioned trio, Tottenham is in the market to land another defensive central midfielder.

While not a household name, Amrabat has been linked to Tottenham before, mainly in the winter transfer break of 2022. So not too long ago.

However, the latest rumours have come from Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish daily sports newspaper published in Barcelona. It has yet to be picked up by a reputable English-speaking outlet.

That is usually a tell-tale sign the rumour might have merit but not enough. Mundo Deportivo is a highly regarded Spanish publication, but until it arrives in the mainstream English journalism world, the rumours are more speculative in nature.

Amrabat does, however, align with Tottenham’s financial requirements. He’s only on about £32,000 weekly, music to Daniel Levy’s ears. Transfermarkt has his valuation at about £20 million, another positive for Tottenham’s balance sheet.

Bayern Munich, among other clubs, is reportedly interested in landing Amrabat, whose contract at Fiorentina expires next summer. If it’s a choice between Spurs and Bayern Munich, I think we can all agree on where he’d probably end up.

So for now, it’s a rumour that will probably fade as quickly as Antonio Conte’s likability.