Tottenham Hotspur must sell at least one member of Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad before they can sign Bologna’s Serie A centre-back Takehiro Tomiyasu before next week’s transfer deadline, as reported by Calciomercato.
And that is where Moussa Sissoko comes in.
With offers for the likes of Serge Aurier, Matt Doherty and Harry Winks seemingly few and far between, Watford’s sudden interest in a 71-capped France international could hardly have come at a better time.
According to Sky Sports, the newly-promoted Hornets are in talks with Sissoko, confidence growing that a deal can be signed, sealed and delivered before September 1.
Tottenham are almost certain to make a substantial loss on a player who became their £30 million record signing when he joined from Newcastle United on deadline day back in 2016.
But whatever money they make via the sale of Sissoko will be a welcome boost to the coffers as their long-running pursuit of Asian sensation Tomiyasu threatens to end in disappointment.
Sissoko out, Tomiyasu in for Spurs?
Spurs agreed personal terms with the tough-tackling Japanese defender a while ago.
But they are yet to shake hands with Bologna over how a £17 million deal will be structured. With four days before the window closes, time – that most valuable of commodities – is now in very short supply.
“I think Tomiyasu will stay at Bologna,” the club’s sporting director, Walter Sabatini, said last week.
The sale of Sissoko may be the boost Tottenham need, however, as they look to finally secure the signature of a man who has also been linked with bitter rivals Arsenal and West Ham United, not to mention an exciting new-look Wolverhampton Wanderers side (Sky).
A centre-half by trade, Tomiyasu will provide cover at right-back too – something that will be particularly useful if the wantaway Aurier gets his wish – while also offering some competition in defensive midfield.
“I think (the Premier League) is an environment that can raise your growth,” 22-year-old Tomiyasu admitted earlier this summer.
“If there’s an environment where one can play at a high level, I would like to try it.”
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