Despite making no transfer activity during the past couple of windows, Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed a massive uprise last season under Mauricio Pochettino. They seemed to be a galvanised force under the young Argentine, and progressing through to the final of the prestigious Champions League competition is itself an overwhelming achievement irrespective of the outcome.
Spurs, meanwhile, have moved to their brand new stadium towards the closure of the previous term. They are now ready to splash the cash to carry on with the development work and set to reignite interest in Lyon sensation Tanguy Ndombélé. According to the Sun, the Ligue 1 giants want £70m, but Spurs believe they can land him around the £50m mark.
The 22-year-old France international burst onto the scene with Amiens in Ligue 2, guiding them to top-flight promotion. His emergence drew the attention of Les Gones who sealed a transfer on a season-long loan a couple of summers back. There he went on to make 50 appearances, and the excellence exhibited in the middle of the park earned him a permanent switch for a fee in the region of €8m according to L’Equipe.
The upsurge continued for the youngster at Parc Olympique Lyonnais as he made 48 appearances during the 2018-19 campaign across all tournaments. Lyon, having tied him down until the summer of 2023, are demanding a fee in the region of £70m from any potential suitors.
The player, however, has fueled the speculations while discussing his future with Le Progres (as cited by the Sun).
“I’ve told my agents and the club I’m not fixed and have not made a decision.”
He is stalling on a new deal with his current employers and Spurs owner Daniel Levy is keen on making the most of it forcing Lyon to reduce their valuation for the decorated midfield ace.
Ndombele, dubbed as ‘the next N’Golo Kante’, prefers to operate as a deep-lying playmaker or in a box-to-box role. He was deployed in a double pivot last season by ex-gaffer Bruno Genesio (alongside Houssem Aouar) and was assigned to initiating attacks banking on his great vision, dribbling and distribution attributes.
His ability to shield the defence and stop the opposition’s press would benefit Tottenham in implementing their fast, free-flowing counter-attacking football with more accuracy and flawlessness. The likes of Victor Wanyama, Eric Dier and young Harry Winks have certain limitations to their game, and the gaffer is yet to replace the expertise of Mousa Dembélé. The arrival of Ndombele would tick so many boxes, and therefore, would allow Pochettino to draw an end to Spurs’ title drought as a reward of their resurgence.
