Tottenham Hotspur remain in the market for new signings this summer as Ange Postecoglou prepares for another Premier League campaign.
August is here and that means two things for Premier League clubs; the new Premier League season and the transfer deadline are looming.
Tottenham Hotspur are looking to kick on in Ange Postecoglou’s second full season as manager and certainly have business to complete.
Fans want to see a new striker arrive this summer and Tottenham are chasing a new forward in Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke.
Spurs may also need to think about another right back though, even with Pedro Porro shining last season.
Right back Emerson Royal is wanted by AC Milan and Tottenham may be willing to let him go.
The Brazilian could leave for first-team action but any departure would leave Spurs wanting to find another player to compete with Porro – even after signing Archie Gray and reintegrating Djed Spence.
Tottenham Hotspur keen on Issa Kabore
Few right backs have been linked with Tottenham this summer but Issa Kabore has emerged as a potential signing.
The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath claims that Spurs are interested in signing Manchester City talent Kabore.
Some Tottenham fans may remember Kabore from last season as he scored an own goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Kabore spent the season on loan at Luton Town and put through his own goal in front of the Spurs fans.
Tottenham certainly weren’t deterred by that moment though and are thought to be interested in signing Kabore regardless.
The 23-year-old was snapped up by Manchester City having impressed in just a handful of games with Belgian side Mechelen.
Kabore was sent back on loan to Mechelen before spells with Troyes, Marseille and, most recently, Luton Town.
Kabore has gained valuable experience away from City and may now be ready for a permanent move.
What would Tottenham be signing in Kabore?
It’s important to consider just how Ange Postecoglou wants to use his full backs.
Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie regularly found themselves not just inverting, but advancing to take on roles resembling a number 10.
That kind of role isn’t for every full back and, in truth, it would be something new for Kabore.
The Burkina Faso international has mostly played as a right back who can provide with and go past players with pace and trickery.
Moving Kabore into a more central area would be something of a gamble and whilst he has quick feet on the ball, there hasn’t been much to suggest that an inverted role suits him.
In fairness to Tottenham, similar things may have been said about Destiny Udogie a year ago and yet he developed brilliantly under Postecoglou.
Kabore’s pace would certainly be helpful to Tottenham’s back line, with Postecoglou keen to deploy a high line, though his awareness at the back post could improve.
Kabore would be a project under Postecoglou and something of a surprise signing, but a couple of his former managers have been impressed.
“He really is a great boy, who is humble, who wants to progress. He’s a top athlete physically. Even though there’s competition in his position, I know he is ready when I need him,” – former Marseille boss Igor Tudor, Coeur Marseillais.
“There were some moments, his cross for Browny’s chances and Locks one as well, so some good little bits in the final third from Issa. We know what he’s got, he’s a real threat with his speed, so I was pleased with a lot of the individual performances to be honest,” – Luton Town boss Rob Edwards, Luton Today.
A £12million fee has been mentioned, which means Tottenham wouldn’t be blowing a huge portion of the budget on Kabore.
That kind of price tag may make Kabore worth a punt if Tottenham believe they can develop him, but he isn’t exactly a like-for-like competitor for Porro.
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