Tottenham to buy after Van de Ven injury: Centre-back shortlist revealed

10 Nov 2023 09:44 GMT
3 min read

Tottenham are ready to move for a centre-back to replace the injured Micky van de Ven during the January transfer window.

Van de Ven has impressed since making a €40 million move from Wolfsburg in the summer but faces a potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury in Monday’s dramatic Premier League encounter against Chelsea.

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Ange Postecoglou’s side want to add more depth to their side at centre-back and TeamTalk reports that they are examining options both within and outside of the Premier League.

Perr Schuurs (Torino) and Ko Itakura (Borussia Monchengladbach), among others, are on the list of the North Londoners.

© ProShots/FootballTransfers - Micky van de Ven has shone at Spurs

Spurs' searching with new intensity

Tottenham have been looking for reinforcement at centre-back for some time. In recent days, however, the necessity of this has been very emphatically underlined: Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie have both been suspended following red cards and Micky van de Ven suffered a hamstring injury in the match against Chelsea. Van de Ven is unlikely to play again this year.

Within England, Spurs have been looking at Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) and Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham) for some time. However, Kelly, who is out of contract next summer, and Guehi are unlikely to make a move in January. Chalobah and Adarabioyo seem feasible, but Tottenham are also explicitly looking at options abroad.

Itakura has been scouted since his time at Schalke 04 and is still on the Lilywhites’ list. The scouts planned to take another look at the 26-year-old Japanese, who previously played for FC Groningen. However, at the end of October, the 22-time international, who is stuck in Germany until mid-2026, suffered an injury, which means he has to undergo surgery and will not be able to play in the coming weeks.

Possible reinforcements are also being examined in Italy. Both Schuurs and Gleison Bremer (Juventus) are reportedly of interest to Tottenham. However, the former is struggling with a cruciate ligament injury and it is not clear when the 23-year-old Dutchman, who has a contract with Torino until mid-2026, can return to action. Bremer is match fit, but would prefer to continue playing in Turin.