Spurs set sights on Ndombele
The links between Lyon standout Tanguy Ndombele and Tottenham have been one of the talking points of the summer transfer window so far.
On the back of their Champions League final heartbreak at the hands of Liverpool last month, widespread reports suggested that Daniel Levy and co. were finally ready to make a splash on the arrivals front.
Spurs had of course not signed a single player since January of 2018, when Lucas Moura arrived from PSG.
Ndombele, though, long looked set to break that 18-month long fruitless streak, with Mauricio Pochettino having identified the Frenchman as the ideal long-term successor to Mousa Dembele.
When questioned on the future of his side’s midfield enforcer last week, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas admitted that Ndombele had set his sights firmly on an exit:
‘It would have to be very substantial offers to advance with Tanguy , who would prefer to leave.’
‘If he left – which isn’t the case today – we would look to recruit someone with experience. For the moment nothing has happened, but the door is ajar.’
Tottenham confirmation
And, despite ensuing rumours over the course of the weekend that Juventus had reignited their pursuit of the 22-year-old, it was still widely-predicted that Spurs would eventually beat off all competition to secure Ndombele’s signature.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City shoots while under pressure from Tanguy NDombele Alvaro of Lyon during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Given their side’s infamously-stubborn negotiation tactics, though, it no doubt came as a huge source of relief for Tottenham fans across the globe when the French international’s arrival was finally made official this evening.
In an announcement across the club’s social media channels, Ndombele’s signing, on a hefty 6-year deal, was confirmed for an undisclosed fee:
Ceballos next up?
And, on a day where the Spurs’ faithful saw their side break what must have felt like a 2-window transfer ban with not one, but two signings (Jack Clarke also arrived from Leeds), positive news has continued to flow for the capital outfit.
Reports stemming from Spain, courtesy of AS, claim that Tottenham and Real Madrid have agreed on the basic terms of a loan deal for Dani Ceballos.
Mauricio Pochettino is said to be pushing hard for Ceballos, who starred throughout Spain’s recent U21 European Championships triumph.
The 22-year-old is widely-regarded as one of the finest young talents in La Liga, but has major struggled for game-time since making the move to the Bernabeu from Real Betis in the summer of 2017.
As such, a temporary move away from the Spanish capital could well prove the most beneficial route for Ceballos’ long-term development.
Tottenham, though, are reportedly confident in their chances of making the gifted midfielder’s move permanent next summer, if Ceballos manages to sufficiently impress over the course of the 2019/20 season.
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 28: Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid in action during the La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on April 28, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Spurs midfield exits
Links to Ceballos of course come amid mounting rumours that Christian Eriksen could move in the opposite direction this summer.
The futures of both Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier, meanwhile, appear far from certain as things stand.
As a result, in the case that Eriksen and one of the aforementioned pair (most likely Wanyama) do eventually depart north London, it is entirely possible that Mauricio Pochettino and co. could look to bring in yet another midfielder.
Giovani Lo Celso and Bruno Fernandes, both of whom have been touted as potential arrivals in north London already this summer, appear viable additions.
Tottenham XI
As such, in the case that Ceballos, and theoretically Lo Celso, both join Ndombele in Tottenham’s midfield ranks for next season, Mauricio Pochettino’s men could line out in some variation of the following XI in 2019/20:
(The line-up also accounts for a shake-up at full-back, with Max Aarons and Ryan Sessegnon arriving, Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier on the move, and Juan Foyth awarded for his impressive Copa America displays with a starting berth at right-back).
