Tottenham Hotspur have been left red-faced after failing to sign a number of their targets over the years. Paulo Dybala and Bruno Fernandes are two who could have joined Spurs last summer but they have since gone on to have fantastic seasons.
Mauricio Pochettino faced the sack after a terrible start to the campaign and Jose Mourinho didn’t have it easy in his first few games in charge. Harry Kane was ruled out for months, which forced Spurs to look for a backup striker in the winter window.
Tottenham were linked with quite a few strikers in January but none more so than AC Milan’s Krzysztof Piatek. Spurs were said to be the favourites to land the Polish striker but failed to meet the Rossoneri’s £25 million asking price. (The Times)
Mourinho even allegedly tried to negotiate a swap deal involving Juan Foyth and Erik Lamela but that failed to convince Milan as well.
Hertha Berlin came in late and swooped Piatek away from Tottenham for about £25 million (ESPN), the same fee Spurs refused to pay for the Pole.
Piatek has failed to impress at Hertha Berlin
Unlike what happened with Dybala and Fernandes, this is one deal that Tottenham aren’t regretting. Piatek has had a poor start to life in Germany, scoring just five goals in 16 appearances since his move.
His performances there have been so underwhelming that Hertha have put him on the market already, just seven months after breaking their transfer record for him.
La Nazione claim that Fiorentina are in talks with Hertha Berlin to sign Piatek this summer. The German outfit are seeking a fee of just £18 million for the Pole, which is a bargain despite his disappointing season.
Piatek is still only 25. The Pole’s disappointing campaign this term is strange considering he was one of the best players in Italy in the 2018/19 season.
The striker scored 30 goals in all competitions for Genoa and Milan, which made the world stand up and take notice. Tottenham would have seen positives in him from that campaign and, despite what has happened over the last 12 months, Spurs should move for him this summer.
Harry Kane is still Tottenham’s only out-and-out striker. Troy Parrott is heading out on loan while Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura are more suited to the wider roles.
At just £18 million, Piatek is more than worth the gamble considering his age and what he is capable of. His physical stature is ideal for Mourinho’s system as well and Tottenham should consider moving for him again; this time for a lower price.
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