Manchester City have been the promptest side to start closing their transfer deals in as soon as one week since the domestic season ended. The Sky Blues wasted no time in letting the likes of Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta leave, once their contract was up and they have been pretty consistent on the other end too.
Reports have already emerged of AS Monaco’s star player of the season, Bernardo Silva, already reaching an agreement with the Manchester outfit for a whopping £43 million. Guardiola is really making a statement as he looks desperate to land silverware next season. After a disappointing last campaign, where they could achieve absolutely nothing, the billionaire club does not want to stop at anything now.
This makes a deal for their next target, Kyle Walker, all the more probable. The English right-back is considered as one of the best in that job and if recent reports are to be believed, then he is all set to leave White Hart Lane following a rift with manager Mauricio Pochettino. The player, reportedly decided in spring that he was leaving Spurs and the club have informed City their hefty price tag.
But, money has never been a problem for the Manchester club and Walker is apparently eyeing £70, 000 a week at the Etihad. A big money move is in order, which means Spurs could target some of the best players in that role as Walker’s replacement. Here are 3 players, they could replace him with:
Cedric Soares (Southampton):
The Portuguese international has been one of Southampton’s best players this season. His suitors include some of the elite European clubs and Tottenham could emerge as one at the moment. With Champions League football secured for yet another season, luring him won’t be a difficult task at all. And given his established experience in the domestic league, he would straight away go into the first team.
Dani Alves (Juventus):
Definitely surprising and he wouldn’t be a perfect replacement age-wise either, but the Brazilian international has been absolutely phenomenal in the past few seasons. A player like him on the right defensive flank is irreplaceable and Barcelona found that the hard way. He is en route for yet another Champions League final and winning that would make him one of the rare players to win the elite tournament with two separate clubs. He would definitely be an upgrade for the Spurs if Walker leaves.
Rafinha (Bayern Munich):
He is not a hot transfer prospect for sure, but his consistency in the right-back’s position is commendable. The 31-year-old Brazilian has been a second fiddle to Germany legend Philip Lahm throughout and now with Joshua Kimmich seemingly becoming first-choice for Carlo Ancelotti from next season, he would surely want to leave. He might not have the agility that Walker possesses at 26, but technique-wise he is way superior and could be a boost to Tottenham’s European dreams.
