Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham size up Newcastle forward after perfect London raid goes cold, as attacking arrival rumours grow

Newcastle attackers Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin

Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici is a huge admirer of a Newcastle target who’ll cost an astronomical sum to sign, though amid widespread speculation over attacking arrivals, one trail appears to have gone cold, per a report.

Spurs’ season has been characterised by their defence being the first one breached, though those at the other end of the pitch haven’t covered themselves in glory either.

Harry Kane has been typically fantastic with 15 goals in 18 games. However, support from those around him has been in desperately short supply.

Son Heung-min has chipped in with just four goals, while despite often looking the part, Dejan Kulusevski has just one goal to his name. Brazilian pair Richarlison and Lucas Moura are both still to open their account in the league this season.

A reunion with Spurs old boy Marcus Edwards continues to be linked. Tottenham can sign the 24-year-old Sporting Lisbon star for a fraction of his true value thanks to a clever clause they negotiated several years ago.

Elsewhere, The Sun and talkSPORT both put Tottenham in a battle with Arsenal to sign Brighton’s Leandro Trossard.

The Belgian is enjoying his most fruitful campaign with Brighton to date, with seven league goals scored including a memorable hat-trick at Anfield.

However, today’s update centres around two other attacking targets, with Football London’s Alasdair Gold providing the goods.

Responding in a Q&A about attacking targets, the Tottenham specialist shed light on potential moves for Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace.

Saint-Maximim adored by Paratici; Zaha no longer suited

Saint-Maximin has struggled with injuries this season, though Eddie Howe’s side have played their best football when the Frenchman wasn’t involved anyway. Since returning to full fitness he’s only sparingly been used off the bench.

Zaha, meanwhile, has long been linked with a move to one of London’s bigger sides.

The 30-year-old has entered the final six months of his deal and as such, can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs.

However, while Gold talked up Spurs chief Paratici’s fondness for Saint-Maximin, he detailed why a move for Zaha – either this month or in the summer – isn’t likely.

Zaha would be an ideal pick-up given the pace and trickery he’d provide. He could also be available for nothing if signed in the summer, though a move to north London is seemingly not in Antonio Conte’s sights.

“Spurs have long been linked with Zaha and Paratici is a big fan of Saint-Maximin,” said Gold.

“Zaha as a cheap or free transfer in the summer would be a good attacking addition, but at 30-years-old and presumably on a big salary, he doesn’t really fit the Tottenham mould any more.

“He does fit the Conte mould in that respect but I’m not entirely sure he does as a player with the amount of defensive work the Italian demands of attackers.

“He can also talk to foreign clubs this month about a lucrative summer free transfer.

“Saint-Maximin has a long contract until 2026 so I can’t imagine he will come at a good price for a January window [move] unless Newcastle have a sudden desire to get him out of the club which there currently does not seem any reason for.”

Newcastle look certainties to qualify for Europe in one form or another next season. At that stage, greater emphasis will be placed on their squad depth.

Saint-Maximin will become more important to Howe at that stage, even in the event he fails to reclaim a starting place.

As such, Gold’s claim Tottenham will have to break the bank to sign Saint-Maximin appears well-founded. Paratici’s task of bringing Saint-Maximin to Spurs looks laced with difficulty.

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