Fabio Paratici considers Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele as his ‘dream’ target while he plots January transfers to strengthen Tottenham Hotspur, according to TuttoMercatoWEB.
Spurs’ Managing Director is eager to offer Antonio Conte a new centre-back and forward in the mid-season market. Joe Rodon is likely to leave north London during the winter sales as he seeks more regular game time – with Newcastle United reportedly among his admirers.
Paratici additionally considers adding another option Conte can play alongside Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane to be a priority. The South Korean is the top-scorer at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with seven goals in 14 Premier League games, ahead of Kane’s two in 14.
Barcelona’s Dembele is the ‘dream’ goal for Paratici in an ideal January transfer window for Tottenham. Conte is also prepared to back a move to bring the French forward to England.
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Paratici has been in regular contact with Dembele’s representatives to offer north London as a landing spot for the 24-year-old. Newcastle, too, would be interested if the 27-cap ace leaves the Camp Nou. But the option of a move to St James’ Park is not proving appealing.
Barcelona not ruling out January transfer for Tottenham target Dembele
Barcelona are still hopeful Dembele rejects transfer interest from clubs like Tottenham and signs a new contract. His €10m-a-season (£162k-a/w), five-year deal penned after joining from Borussia Dortmund for £135.5m expires at the end of the season.
Blaugrana boss Xavi Hernandez and President Joan Laporta both support him signing new terms. Yet the Camp Nou side have not ruled out selling next month, if he does not sign.
The Catalan giants would have to accept a heavily reduced valuation from the initial £97m paid to Borussia Dortmund, though. Sport reported in April Barcelona would have wanted €50-60m (£42-51m) for Dembele. But that was when he still had over a year on his deal.
So, Tottenham could well capitalise on Dembele’s situation and agree a discounted transfer with Barcelona in January for Paratici’s ‘dream’. Mundo Deportivo also cited Spurs’ interest in the winger earlier this month, while noting Paratici’s contact with Dembele’s agent, too.