Bari have not yet received an ‘official offer’ for Walid Cheddira amid reports linking the free-scoring forward with a £13 million move to Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur, sporting director Ciro Polito tells Cusano Italia TV.
Harry Kane has played no fewer than 99 per cent of the minutes available under Antonio Conte this season. That, on one hand, is testament to the striker’s consistency and reliability; Kane putting those previous injury problems behind him.
Those of a glass-half-empty mindset, however, will argue that such a statistic merely highlights Spurs’ ongoing reliance on a player who, since breaking through under Mauricio Pochettino seven years ago, has never really seen his place in the starting XI come under threat.
The prolific Cheddira would, at least, give Conte some depth in the final third. The option to rest Kane now and again, and bring in a natural centre-forward option in his place.
Could Tottenham Hotspur really sign Bari striker Walid Cheddira?
The Morocco international has 13 goals in 13 games this season, albeit for a Bari side plying their trade in Italy’s second tier.
Such a remarkable goalscoring record means Cheddira will inevitably be given the chance to prove he can be just as productive at a higher level, Serie B news claiming that Tottenham have joined Napoli and countless top-flight clubs in pursuit of his £13 million-rated signature.
Polito, however, insists that Bari are yet to receive a bid for the 6ft 2ins centre-forward. Though it seems like only a matter of time before that changes.
“There has been no official offer for Cheddira,” Polito says. “Obviously, he is a player (with admirers). But, for now, we keep him tight.
Cheddira, the report adds, is a player admired by both Conte and Spurs’ managing director Fabio Paratici; two men with an extensive knowledge of Italian football.
And Cheddira would certainly be a more natural Kane replacement than, say, Richarlison or Heung-Min Son; a bustling, penalty-box number nine in the Carlos Vinicius mould.
“Many Serie A clubs are (showing interest),” Bari president Luigi de Laurentiis tells Mediaset. “We are happy with his huge explosion (in form).”
“Interest from Serie A? It is still early. The boy is very happy in Bari,” adds agent Bruno di Napoli (Radio Punto Nuovo). “He has a contract here until 2025.”
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