Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Transfer shortlist sees maligned Tottenham star given intriguing exit option

Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez Tottenham v Vitesse Arnhem November 2021

Davinson Sanchez could leave Tottenham Hotspur as he is being targeted by a Serie A side who have just offloaded one of their centre-backs, according to reports.

Sanchez faces an uncertain future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under Antonio Conte. The new coach wants to revamp his defence. As such, many of the existing options in the Tottenham squad are at risk of leaving.

Spurs invested heavily to sign Sanchez from Ajax in 2017. He cost them a reported £42m. Since then, though, he hasn’t always found it easy to justify his value.

Sanchez made 32 appearances last season, which was his lowest tally ever in European football. He did not have any injury issues, instead having to share responsibilities in terms of gametime.

This season, he has started just six of Tottenham’s 14 Premier League matches so far. Two of those have come since Conte took charge.

Therefore, it would be easy to question how much longer the Colombia international has left in north London. His contract with Tottenham runs until 2024 still.

But according to Corriere Dello Sport, he could be on the move in January. He has been shortlisted by Napoli as a potential reinforcement.

The Serie A side have just got rid of Kostas Manolas, who has re-joined Olympiacos in Greece. The 30-year-old had fallen down their pecking order, but will still need replacing for squad depth.

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To fill that void, Sanchez is under consideration. He has never played in Italy before, but Napoli could offer him such a challenge.

For now, their priority is Torino centre-back Gleison Bremer. Coincidentally, he has also been linked with Tottenham. But Sanchez is one of the other options Napoli have in mind.

Alternatively still, Napoli could target Felix Uduokhai of Augsburg, or recall Sebastiano Luperto from a loan spell with Empoli.

It is not yet clear how much it would cost for them to take Sanchez if that is the route they go down.

Davinson Sanchez can’t compare to Tottenham old boys

Davinson Sanchez playing for Tottenham

One pundit recently criticised Sanchez and the rest of the Tottenham rearguard, claiming they are downgrades in comparison to two recent icons.

“I just don’t think Rodon is good enough, to be honest,” Gabriel Agbonlahor told Football Insider last week.

“Eric Dier I don’t think is good enough, Sanchez is not good enough.

“Spurs haven’t improved their centre-halves since Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen were there. They were good centre-halves, they were strong.

“The centre-halves they have there are not good enough. I’m sure Conte, who bases his teams on their defence, will want to fix that problem by bringing in some centre-halves.”

First of all, though, some may have to make way. Sanchez could be one of those sacrificed, especially if Napoli firm up their interest.

They have a chance of competing for the Serie A title this year, even if they are not favourites. Furthermore, they have Europa League football on offer.

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