Lift for Tottenham, Arsenal as centre-back target is made available for £22m

Tottenham and Arsenal have been handed a lift with the news that Getafe have made a centre-back target available for £22million.

Jose Mourinho and Mikel Arteta are both looking at defender Djene Dakonam as an option to bolster their leaky defences and it would appear that the 28-year-old could move this month.

The Togo international, who is more commonly known by just his first name, has forged a reputation as one of LaLiga’s top defensive stars and has been named in the Spanish top-flight’s Team of the Year for the past couple of campaigns.

Djene was accompanied by Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique in those composite teams of LaLiga’s best players and has the game to thrive in the Premier League.

Spurs are looking to sign a new centre-back, with Jan Vertonghen out of contract this summer, while Juan Foyth has also been tipped to leave and Mourinho has some concerns over the nervy performances of former record signing Davinson Sanchez.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have struggled to find a solid partnership all season, with David Luiz, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi all struggling at different points of the campaign.

The Sun reports that Getafe rate Djene around the £22m mark and are holding firm on that figure as clubs circle during the January transfer window.

Ligue 1 outfit Monaco are reported to have a bid just shy of £13m knocked back by Getafe chiefs, who will be hoping Arsenal and Tottenham’s interest can spark a bidding war.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are closing in on signing their Harry Kane replacement, according to reports in Portugal.

With the England striker ruled out until towards the end of the season, Spurs are in desperate need of signing a reliable centre-forward to provide cover.

They had been interested in struggling AC Milan hotshot Krzysztof Piatek, but the deal hit complications as they were only prepared to make a loan offer, whereas the Serie A side wanted a permanent sale.

There were even suggestions that they could turn to Fernando Llorente, just half a year after letting him leave as a free agent.

With the striker finding little room under Gennaro Gattuso at Napoli, it was claimed he could return to Spurs on loan.

However, Record say that Spurs’ solution is another name altogether, with a deal for Ze Luis in its final stages. Read more…