Tottenham Hotspur have an interesting transfer window up ahead this summer. Mauricio Pochettino has a unique recruitment policy, that will see him only sign players that fit into the needs of the club. But they are also set to lose a couple of their star players this summer and Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld is one of them.
The Belgian defender, who is a crucial part of the national side in the World Cup in Russia, joined Spurs back in 2014 and has slowly established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. However, he has just a year left on his current contract and is yet to sign a new deal. He is expected to be sold, with Spurs slapping a price tag of £50m on his head and are already looking for a replacement.
A number of clubs are ready to meet the asking price, leaving Pochettino with money to spend this summer and one player he is interested in is Rafael Toloi. Reports claim that Spurs have already made a bid for the defender.
A transfer target for the newly promoted Wolves, Toloi was born and brought up in Brazil and only moved to Europe with AS Roma back in 2014, on loan. He did enough to earn a move to Serie A with Atlanta in 2015 and took his time to establish himself in the first team.
However, the 27-year old came into his own last season, standing as one of the most consistent defenders in Serie A, also registering three goals and four assists in all competitions. He was used at the heart of a three-man backline at Atlanta and his composure with the ball at his feet is what would have attracted Pochettino.
Known for his keen understating of the game, Toloi is a strong and athletic defender, ready to throw himself around for his side. He is a marauding presence in both boxes and is also adept at hold up play, which allows him to help in build-up play from the back. He made 29 league starts and five Europa League starts last season and is now an established star at the highest level. He will cost just a portion of the money Alderweireld will fetch and could be a decent replacement.
But Toloi is yet to prove himself against the best in Europe and is certainly not an upgrade on the options Pochettino currently has. The likes of Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez were impressive last season while Juan Foyth has also shown decent promise.
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So Spurs are to add a CB to their squad, they are better off looking at more established stars, who can walk into the first team, rather than players who will have only improve their bench.
