Stats: How does Danny Welbeck compare to Spurs’ current forwards?

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Tottenham Hotspur are being strongly linked with a move for Danny Welbeck but how does the Manchester United player compare to Spurs’ current forwards?

The 23-year-old is reportedly set to leave Old Trafford this week as the Red Devils pursue a deal for Angel Di Maria in a move that would further limit Welbeck’s opportunities at the club.

Louis van Gaal already has Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie as his first-choice striking options, while youngster James Wilson is also expected to feature this season.

Welbeck has been fielded out wide for much of his time at United, but the arrival of Di Maria would give him even less opportunities to feature.

Spurs could capitalise on the situation and the Lilywhites are being linked with a £15 million move for the England attacker.

Welbeck is thought to be keen on a switch to White Hart Lane to work under Mauricio Pochettino, and the Argentine manager will play him as a central striker if a deal is agreed.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane are all currently vying for a starting spot in the side and the arrival of Welbeck may see one of the trio move on, though the United man’s versatility may mean that no one has to move on.

Welbeck was played on the left for much of the last campaign but he did score nine goals in 25 appearances, with only Adebayor netting more.

However, the United forward has less shots per appearances than Kane, Soldado and Adebayor and also won less headers per game than the current Spurs trio.

He did win more take-ons per game than Soldado or Kane but was once again outperformed by Adebayor in this department as well as touches per game.

If Welbeck can feature as a central striker he would surely offer more of a threat on a regular basis and if a deal can be reached Spurs would have another attacking threat to add goals.

Though the club already has solid options in the final third with Emmanuel Adebayor particularly impressive from a statistical standpoint.

A loan move for Welbeck is a possibility, though it is unlikely as United will not be keen to allow one of their players join a Premier League rival on loan, and maybe not even in a permanent deal.

A lot would appear to depend on Di Maria’s projected move to United, and if that goes through then the Red Devil’s may be willing to recoup some money from the sale of Welbeck.