Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham have two plans in mind for Ndombele, as rival clubs prepare to end Frenchman’s nightmare

Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele

Tottenham are prepared to axe Tanguy Ndombele this summer in one of two forms, and a pair of Italian rivals are sniffing around a deal, claims a report.

The Spurs club-record signing, 25, is facing a crossroads in his career this summer. Ndombele set Tottenham back around £55m in 2019. But despite showing flashes of brilliance, no manager has been able to harness his best on a consistent basis.

Antonio Conte was the latest to give up on the Frenchman when sanctioning his loan exit in January.

Ndombele joined Lyon and the deal contained an option to buy. However, Sport Witness now claim that option hasn’t been taken up.

Ndombele will therefore return to north London this summer, though his stay might be a short one.

It’s claimed Spurs are willing to sell the midfielder this summer. If a permanent buyer can’t be found, they’re prepared to greenlight another loan exit.

The information stems from Italian journalists Enrico Camelo and Flavio Tassotti.

Camelo told Italian outlet Radio Radio: “We received a message around 1:30am from a London source, and informed us of the interest of Roma and Lazio in the midfielder.

“We then crossed paths, certainly finding confirmations on the Biancocelesti [Lazio], while we are working on the Giallorossi [Roma]. [Jose] Mourinho wants a powerful player and he is the ideal figure. He would come on loan.”

Ndombele to get Italian chance?

The two great Rome-based rivals are both seemingly keen on offering Ndombele a new challenge in Italy.

Roma’s interest is something of a surprise given Mourinho was unable to mesh well with Ndombele at Spurs. Indeed, the Portuguese boss infamously teed off on Ndombele in a ruthless rant in November, 2020.

Tassotti later claimed there has been no concrete contact between Roma and Tottenham as yet. However, with Spurs seemingly open to an Ndombele exit in multiple guises, a deal could be there for the making if any interest is firmed up.

Tottenham wise to sever ties?

Aside from his inconsistency, Ndombele’s skillset is not what Antonio Conte seeks in midfield.

Conte demands his midfielders be rugged and combative in the engine room. The options he prefers help to stifle the opposition and lay the foundations for his wing-backs to bomb forward and join a potent front three.

Ndombele – for all the creativity he would bring – does not suit a Conte system.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur already have the makings of a formidable midfield pairing. The fact Spurs have been linked with another defensive-minded midfielder, Konrad Laimer, speaks further to Conte’s desires in the position.

As such, if Spurs can find a permanent buyer they may be wise to cut bait even at a loss. If not, a loan with an obligation to buy would be the next best option.