Tottenham transfer collapses as blame game begins, with attention now shifting to gettable Man Utd target

A long-awaited Tottenham transfer has ‘vanished’ and a ‘media storm’ in Italy is to blame, while Fabrizio Romano has talked up the chances of signing a Man Utd target in January who’s both affordable and gettable.

The Daily Express recently stated Tottenham’s January transfer window is expected to be a ‘busy’ affair. However, according to reports out of Italy, one item on the agenda can now be crossed off.

Spurs have been linked with Atalanta and Ukraine midfielder, Ruslan Malinovskyi, dating back to the summer.

The 29-year-old would represent a cost-effective and ready-made addition to the attacking ranks given he’s valued around the €18m (approx. £15m) mark.

Malinovksyi operates primarily in central areas and would provide Antonio Conte with more of a goal threat through the spine of his team. But per Il Giorno (via Sport Witness), Spurs’ proposed move has ‘collapsed’.

The reasoning stems from the scandal currently enveloping Serie A giant Juventus.

The club’s entire board of directors, president Andrea Agnelli and vice president Pavel Nedved, have all resigned following preliminary investigation by the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office into fraudulent accounting and alleged hidden payments to players.

Also under the microscope are deals overseen by current Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici while he was in the employ of Juventus.

As such, the report states the Malinovskyi deal – which was already complex enough – has been complicated further by the media storm brewing in Italy.

Signing Malinovksyi at present is now deemed ‘inappropriate’ and the Ukraine star is labelled ‘further away’ from north London than ever before.

Of course, a deal could be resurrected at a later stage, but for January at least, the move has ‘vanished’.

Man Utd target a “great solution” for Tottenham – Romano

In more positive news for Tottenham, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has labelled a Man Utd target who’s both gettable and affordable a “great solution” for Conte.

The Red Devils have accelerated their plans to sign a new centre-forward following Cristiano Ronaldo’s premature exit.

Cody Gakpo is their primary target, though there’s no shortage of alternatives who’ve been linked.

Among them are Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Lille’s Jonathan David. The latter, per Romano last week, can be signed for between €45m-€50m (£39m-£43m) in January.

The 22-year-old represented Canada at the World Cup and was asked about speculation linking him with a move to England while in Qatar.

“I am aware of nothing,” said David. “When I am at the World Cup I am just focused on trying to enjoy the World Cup and enjoying the moment.

“What happens after I do not know, we will have to see. The Premier League is the best league in the world and I think every player would want to play there some day.”

David has nine goals and three assists to his name in Ligue 1 this season. His goals ratio has improved year on year since joining Lille back in 2020 and he’s long been touted as worthy of a move to one of the Premier League’s big hitters.

Writing for Caught Offside, Romano reaffirmed Spurs took notes on David in 2021, and labelled him a “great solution” for many clubs moving forward, including Tottenham.

“Jonathan David has made it clear he wants to play in the Premier League, so where could the Lille striker end up?” Romano wrote.

“At the moment there are no conversations or contacts between Spurs and Lille or Jonathan David’s agents.

“Tottenham were informed on David one year ago but it’s still quiet now. I think he’d be great solution for many clubs, including Tottenham; he’s a very good striker.”

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