Cascarino questions Tottenham’s Wanyama and Dembele, urges Van Dijk pursuit

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Pundit calls on Tottenham to enter race for Southampton star.

Leicester City’s Shinji Okazaki in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele (L)

Pundit and former player Tony Cascarino has urged Tottenham to make improvements this summer and compete to sign the top players in the Premier League.

Reacting to Tottenham’s 4-2 FA Cup semi final loss to Chelsea, Cascarino says Tottenham need more dynamism from midfield and urged them to also battle to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

Cascarino believes Victor Wanyama and Moussa Dembele do not offer enough for the team as a duo going forward.

He told The Times: “One area Spurs could improve would be central midfield. Both Victor Wanyama and Moussa Dembele have had excellent seasons but neither contributes with goals or dynamic play going forward.

“They also need some reinforcements in central defence, particularly if they are going to play three at the back. If the big teams are chasing the Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, then Spurs must be too.”

Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk celebrates

In a back two there would be no need to add Van Dijk, with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen already impressive, but their change in formation makes a potential deal of interest.

Van Dijk alongside the Belgian pair would be a scary prospect for opposition strikers, although his cost could prohibit Tottenham getting involved in a bidding war.

SkySports reported in January that the Dutchman is valued at £50 million by the Saints, and while this price could drop slightly, he would still attract a substantial fee, with Chelsea and Liverpool among the teams linked.

Cascarino’s criticism of midfielders Wanyama and Dembele is harsh given that they provide the platform and freedom for the likes of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen to attack.

Both players could do with adding more goals to their games, especially Dembele who is capable of it, but neither need replacing, they simply need to take their performances to another level.