Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Aissa Mandi, but Tottenham Hotspur should be right in the race too.
According to The Mirror [02/08, page 67], Liverpool are just £1.8 million away from meeting Real Betis’ valuation for the 28-year-old – and Tottenham need to hijack the move.
After all, Spurs have just lost Jan Vertonghen and with Juan Foyth linked with a move away, they absolutely need to sign a few centre-backs.
As things stand, Jose Mourinho only has Toby Alderweireld – who turns 32 next year – and Davinson Sanchez as established, experienced centre-back options.
Clearly the Portuguese intends to play Eric Dier there too, but the England international has much more experience in a central midfield role and therefore his okay performances in defence should be taken in context.
And if we’re honest, he’s much more needed in North London than he is at Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp might be losing Dejan Lovren, but he still has Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, not to mention youngsters like Sepp van den Berg.
At 28, Mandi needs to be playing regular football because he’s in the prime of his career, the peak of his powers, and the reality is that he’ll play much more regularly with the Lilywhites than he would under Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool probably have more money than Tottenham to spend on transfers, but either one could pick up Mandi for just under £10 million [DiarioSevilla].
It’s going to be an absolute bargain for the Reds, if Spurs allow it to be.
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