Tottenham identify Barcelona ace as ideal target to replace contract rebels

Umtiti.Coutinho.Dembele.TEAMtalk

Tottenham have earmarked a Barcelona centre-half as the perfect man to build their central defence around with Jose Mourinho particularly eager on the move, claims a report.

Long-time defensive duo Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld both have contracts that expire next summer, with Alderweireld recently believed to have told Spurs chiefs he wants out.

A departure for one or both of the stalwarts would leave a void new manager Mourinho would quickly wish to fill, with the latest report from Spanish publication Don Balon claiming Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti is the man to be targeted.

The article (via Goal.com) states that Mourinho “is eager to sign Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti,” with hopes high the Catalan club would be willing to sell given his diminished role in the squad of late.

The 26-year-old goes on to be described as being at the “top of his list of targets.”

Umtiti has been a capable performer at the Camp Nou but has been limited to just five appearances across all competitions this season with Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet preferred instead.

The article reveals that a fee of around “€60 million ($66m, £51m)” would be sufficient to prise the France international away.

 

 

Meanwhile, Gareth Bale has put Tottenham fans on notice after his latest comments hinted at a possible return to the LilyWhites.

Speaking to BT Sport (via The Sun) Bale said: “Having Mourinho there [Tottenham] is an amazing statement from the club, I think he’s a serial winner.

“Tottenham want to win trophies and I don’t think there’s a better partnership than Mourinho and Tottenham together to try and win some trophies.”