How many options does Enze Postecoglou have for strengthening Tottenham?
Tottenham are looking to clear out a number of players before the transfer window closes. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, their captain until last season, is a certainty to leave, but he could stay depending on the situation. He is a target for a number of clubs, but his situation is complicated by the fact that he has rejected transfer offers on personal terms.
Central defender Davinson Sanchez and central midfielder Eric Dier are also on the verge of parting ways with Tottenham. Although they still have time left on their contracts, it’s safe to say they’re not in Postecoglou’s plans. Giovani Rosselso is also a favorite to join a Spanish Primera Liga team like Sevilla.
Along with overhauling the defense, adding a central striker is a must. With Harry Kane out of the picture, a solution is being sought, and Son Heung-min moved in like a zero-top to play the role of ‘nail’ after Hicharlison was dropped to the bench at Manchester United.
“It’s better for a striker to be close to the goal,” Son told British sports outlet Sky Sports, adding that he doesn’t see anything wrong with moving to a central striker. In the past, he has played in the center when Kane was out injured.
There are still plenty of rumors surrounding Tottenham, from Romelu Lukaku, who has been linked with a move to Juventus after angering both Inter Milan and Chelsea with his lying ways, to the impending signing of Nottingham Forest striker Brennan Johnson.
This time around, it’s someone who Postecoglou has been linked with at Celtic. Jotada moved from Celtic to Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) last month. ’90min’, a British soccer website, reported on the 26th (KST) that ‘Postecoglou is considering bringing in Jota, who played with him at Celtic, on loan’.
Jota is a flanker who played a variety of positions at Celtic. He joined Celtic in the summer of 2021 from Portuguese side Benfica, who are known for their ability to develop and sell players, after a loan spell at Valladolid in Spain.
In his first season, he scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists in 29 league games, demonstrating both decisiveness and selflessness. He also gained experience in European club competition with two goals and two assists in five games in the UEFA Europa League (UEL). Last season, he was consistent in the league with 11 goals and 11 assists in 33 games and two assists in four Champions League (UCL) matches.
Celtic weren’t about to let the Saudi “oil money” storm pass them by and handed the helm to Al Ittihad for £25 million. 6.5 million when he signed from Benfica
Celtic sent Zotta to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad this summer. The striker was a mainstay on the Celtic flank last season and cost the Hoops £25 million. The Hoops paid £6.5 million ($108 million) for him, so they got a quadruple bargain.
But at Al Ittihad, Zotta was a joker. After starting in the Arab Club Championship, he came off the bench in the league opener against Al Rid, Al Tej and Al Riyadh.
Nuno Santos continued to play Karim Benzema in the center of the park, with the Brazilian striker’s previous options of Igor Cornado and Jorginho on the left and right wings. The lone striker was Moroccan international Abderrazak Hamdallah.
With N’Golo Kante and Fabinho already in central midfield, it would be difficult for Santos to start Jota. In addition, Al Ittihad have promised Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) preferential treatment and are speeding up the process of signing him. Even without Salah’s arrival, Jota’s chances of securing a starting spot are slim.
Jota reportedly earns £200,000 a week at Al Ittihad. That’s a significant weekly wage. In the Tottenham wage structure we know of, Kane is the highest paid player at £300,000, followed by Son Heung-min at £210,000. Even if you wanted to sign a pilot, you’d still have to pay the same amount as Son Heung-min, which would lead to a breakdown in the wage structure.
That’s why Tottenham are considering a loan rather than a full transfer. The outlet said: “Tottenham are hoping to sign Zotta on loan. Presumably, the wages will be a condition of Al Ittihad’s continued payment. It’s not a bad deal for Tottenham. It’s not a bad deal for Tottenham.온라인바카
Jota is also in a quandary. He can’t give up his big salary, but he didn’t go to the Saudi League to play as a joker. He also has the advantage of knowing Postecoglou himself.
If Jota were to join Spurs on loan, he would be competition for Son Heung-min, but he would also have the advantage of being able to play in a variety of positions. It’s an interesting development that could change Tottenham’s strategy depending on the choice.