Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham face race against time for monstrous £15million centre-back who’s keen to move

Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer Leverkusen, April 2023

Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer Leverkusen, April 2023

Tottenham can reportedly sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah for around £15million if they activate his release clause by the beginning of July.

Defensively, Spurs have had a very poor season. There’s not a lot that’s gone right for the north London outfit this campaign, actually.

Their eighth-placed finish was their worst in the Premier League since 2008/09.

They also saw coach Antonio Conte depart in March. Caretaker manager Cristian Stellini lasted just four games before he was also dismissed.

A lot of the issues that they’ve faced this season stem from a leaky back line. Indeed, Tottenham conceded 63 Premier League goals over the course of the campaign.

Only five sides conceded more often than the north London outfit, and three of them were relegated.

As such, it seems they’d benefit from strengthening the back line. It would not be a surprise if that was a priority for whoever the new manager is.

Robin Koch is one defender Tottenham have been linked with. The Leeds United centre-back will reportedly cost £15million and Spurs are readying themselves for that move.

Tottenham can sign Tah on the cheap soon

However, they’ve also been alerted to another cut-price deal. Indeed, German outlet Bild reports Bayer Leverkusen defender Tah can leave the club for just €18million (£15million approx) due to an ‘opt-out clause’.

The report states Spurs is a defender ‘fitting the profile’ of the north London side as they look for defensive reinforcements.

If they’re do seriously want Tah, they’ll have to activate the clause by the beginning of July.

Spurs can get one over on managerial target

Tottenham can get one over on managerial target Xabi Alonso by snaring Tah.

The Spanish manager was on the club’s shortlist not long ago, and while some thought he may jump to return to England, he quickly quashed reports linking him with Spurs.

He did so in favour of remaining with Leverkusen – the side Tah plays for. It will already be somewhat sore that the 6ft3in defender – who played nearly every game for him this season – is ‘pushing for a change’.

What’s more, Tah is said to favour a move to the Premier League. The defender has reportedly been receiving advice from super-agent Pini Zahavi for months, given he’s said to be an expert on English transfers.

As such, with the price they can get him for and the apparent need to recruit at the back, Spurs could well make the simple move for Tah.

It’s suggested they’ll have to wait until they’ve hired a new manager, though. Indeed Daniel Levy will be wrapped up in doing so, and that seemingly takes precedence over new signings for the time being.

They’ll hope that doesn’t take too long, though, with the clock ticking on Tah’s clause.

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