According to a recent report by Foot Mercato, Tottenham Hotspur’s loan bid to sign FC Porto forward Moussa Marega this month has been declined by the Portuguese giants. It is believed that Spurs made an approach to sign the Mali international on an initial loan deal with an option to buy him permanently at the end of this campaign (via Foot Mercato).
However, the Liga NOS outfit wasted no time in rejecting the North London club’s offer along with a similar bid from their East London rivals, West Ham United (via Foot Mercato).
Marega’s Eye-Catching Form Throughout This Season
The 28-year-old has enjoyed another impressive campaign in Portuguese football after he put in several match-winning displays for Sérgio Conceição’s side so far. He has scored seven goals and provided six assists in 25 appearances for Porto this term across all competitions.
Marega has averaged 1.9 shots, 1.6 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per game for the Liga NOS side on all fronts (stats via whoscored). He has also secured 18 senior caps for the Malian national team and has registered two goals for his nation in the process.
What Does The Malian Marksman Offer On The Pitch?
Marega is one of the quickest players in the Portuguese top-flight. However, he struggles to control his speed when running with the ball in the opposition half. He excels at holding the ball up to get others involved in and around the opposition penalty area. The Mali international can overpower the opposition defenders using his remarkable upper body strength and hunger to win the ball in the final third.
The Porto striker has proven himself to be a prolific goal-getter over the past couple of seasons. He would have been a decent short-term acquisition for Spurs if Jose Mourinho could have found a way to bring him to North London before the end of this transfer window. However, it seems like Tottenham will miss out on the Malian striker with Porto reluctant to entertain offers for his services this winter.
Missing Out On Marega This Month: Big Blow For Mourinho?
The Portuguese club’s rigid stance will be a huge blow for Spurs and their short-term aspirations as a football club. Mourinho is hoping to salvage a disappointing season by winning some silverware in the second half of this campaign. However, it seems like a distant dream after the injury to Harry Kane, so they need to find a way to land a new forward before the end of January or else risk going through another frustrating spell in the coming months.
