As reported by Football.London, Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Youcef Atal has taken a massive blow after the OGC Nice defender suffered a long-term injury against FC Metz on Sunday. Nice confirmed on their website that the defender would “take a long time” to recover, thus effectively ruling out a potential January transfer window switch.
Why Atal’s injury could be a blow for Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur were linked with a move for Atal even in the summer when Mauricio Pochettino was still in charge of the club. And while a move didn’t materialise, the club has struggled in the right-back slot following the departure of Kieran Trippier to Atletico Madrid.
Serge Aurier has been the primary replacement for the Englishman. However, the Ivorian has failed to provide consistency even under Mourinho. As for Kyle Walker-Peters, he has lost his place in the starting lineup after a strong start to the campaign, and with Mourinho coming in, it’s unlikely he will get any recognition.
Juan Foyth is an option at right-back. But, the Argentine, since returning from a long-term injury, has hardly been utilised in defence. Hence, Spurs are in dire of a fully-fledged right-back, who can prove to be an upgrade over Aurier and can provide the much-needed solidity at the back.
Atal, in that regard, would have made a lot of sense. The OGC Nice star has already made an impression with his consistent performances in Ligue 1. His technical quality, coupled with his athleticism and pace, could have added a new dimension to Spurs backline. And, at the age of 23, the Algerian could have been a smart long-term investment for the Lilywhites.
What should Spurs do now?
With Atal out of the contention, Mourinho now needs to shift his focus to other available alternatives. Thomas Meunier is always an option, with the defender’s current contract at Paris Saint-Germain expiring at the end of the campaign. Hence, he could be available for a cut-price.
However, one player who could undoubtedly improve the Tottenham side is Lukas Klostermann. The RB Leipzig star has already made quite an impression in the Bundesliga as well as in the German national team. His aggression and tactical astuteness would make him an ideal fit for Mourinho’s defence-oriented setup.
Furthermore, Klostermann is known for his athleticism and pace, which tunes in well with the robust nature of the English Premier League. But, it remains to be seen whether or not Leipzig would be willing to let go of their star asset in January.
