Tottenham Hotspur’s injury crisis appears to be spreading even to those linked with the Premier League giants as AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw is struck down with a ‘severe’ hamstring issue.
Whether the problem is serious or long-term enough to slam the breaks on a potential January departure, however, only time will tell. Fortunately, an answer could be available within the next week or so.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, one of the defenders reportedly on Tottenham Hotspur’s wishlist will undergo tests in order to determine the extent of his absence.
But the early signs don’t look good.
Tottenham like AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw
Gazzetta dello Sport believe that Malick Thiaw will miss, at best, two months of action, the hamstring injury he picked up during Tuesday’s 3-1 home defeat to Borussia Dortmund deemed to be ‘severe’. Should he require operation, then the former Schalke youngster will be out for even longer.
Either way, with Tottenham putting together a list of central defensive targets ahead of the January transfer window, this is a blow to Spurs’ plans as well as Milan’s. According to the Daily Mail, Ange Postecoglou’s early-season pacesetters – their fantastic form slipping amid a flurry of injuries and absentees – were keeping a very close eye on Thiaw, alongside Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Portugal international Goncalo Inacio, Morato of Benfica, and Japan powerhouse Koki Machida.
At least two months out
Thiaw, unlike the aforementioned quartet, is a right-sided centre-back by trade. But the one-time Liverpool target, so impressive against Spurs in the Champions League last term, has proven himself two-footed enough to thrive in a number of defensive roles.
Tottenham are allegedly eyeing up a move for Genoa’s £25 million-rated former Juventus powerhouse Radu Dragusin too. At least, according to the Romanian’s agent, the outspoken Florin Manea.
“The people from Genoa know (that he will soon leave),” Manea explains.
“I have been in London for some time and have almost weekly meetings with important teams. We are getting closer. I spoke with Newcastle, with Arsenal, with Tottenham. I also have the messages with them, conversations. There are teams that ask.
“I want to say that, 100 per cent by next summer, Radu will play for a very strong club. One in the top 10 in the world. He wants to be in the Premier League, but I know that Milan like him a lot. I talked to the people there.”
Spurs are due to travel to Manchester City this weekend still without the injured Micky van de Ven.
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