As the January transfer window nears its conclusion, Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to intervene in Aston Villa's pursuit of Chelsea defender Axel Disasi. With the deadline fast approaching on Monday night, Spurs are eager to reinforce their defensive line with a new centre-back.
Manager Ange Postecoglou is under mounting pressure, particularly as he emerges as one of the frontrunners for the next Premier League manager to be dismissed. This season has posed significant challenges, largely due to the absence of key defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. As a result, Postecoglou has been forced to deploy several players in unfamiliar positions within the centre-back role. Although Van de Ven made his return to the squad during the Europa League fixture against Elfsborg on Thursday, his teammate Radu Dragusin suffered an injury shortly after half-time, further exacerbating concerns about the squad's depth.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has expressed worries regarding Dragusin's injury, suggesting it "could be serious." He elaborated, stating, “Tottenham internally feel that Radu Dragusin's knee injury could be serious; at least one and eventually two centre-backs will be joining in the final days.” Ongoing discussions are reportedly focused on potential targets, including Fikayo Tomori, as Spurs explore various alternatives to bolster their defence.
Tomori, a former Chelsea player, has emerged as a significant target for Tottenham. However, according to Sky Italy, the defender has "rejected" a move to North London, expressing a strong desire to continue his career with AC Milan. Despite Tottenham's advanced negotiations with the Serie A club, the England international remains committed to his current team.
With the transfer deadline looming, Spurs have yet to secure any outfield signings, heightening the urgency to enhance their defensive capabilities. Romano further indicated that Tottenham is actively working to outmanoeuvre Aston Villa in the race for Disasi, remarking, “Axel Disasi has been approached by Tottenham as they're insisting on a new centre-back.” Reports suggest that Disasi has already reached personal terms with Villa, and he is expected to make a decision imminently, placing the ultimate choice in his hands.
Currently sitting in 15th place in the Premier League, Tottenham's transfer difficulties have not deterred Postecoglou from promoting the club's appeal to prospective signings. “It depends what the players are looking for,” he noted. “You can look at it two ways: OK, the league form is not great, but there are some pretty big possibilities to have success here in the last three or four months. It's still a big club, it's still a club that can challenge for honours, and it's whether the player sees the potential that we see right now, or certainly that I see. If it's too much of a hard sell, it's probably not the right one for us.”
Moreover, reports indicate that discussions between AC Milan and Tottenham are intensifying regarding Tomori's potential return to the Premier League. Football365 has highlighted the urgency surrounding Spurs’ efforts to strengthen their squad ahead of the impending transfer deadline. As the clock ticks down, the pressure is on for Tottenham to secure the reinforcements they desperately need.