Tottenham Hotspur are likely to be in the market for at least one full back this summer as Ange Postecoglou looks to bolster his squad.
There have been problems in the full back areas for Tottenham Hotspur ever since the Danny Rose and Kyle Walker era came to an end.
The money spent on full backs has been huge and there have been some disappointing additions along the way.
Serge Aurier, Matt Doherty, Emerson Royal and Djed Spence all came in to try and solve the right-sided problems but didn’t quite live up to their billing.
On the left side, Ryan Sessegnon has been released this summer after a number of injury woes and Sergio Reguilon looks likely to leave too.
Tottenham have – finally – found two superb starting full backs with Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie impressing last season.
Those two full backs need some competition though and a player who can operate on both sides may be especially appealing to Tottenham.
Russell Martin on Tottenham Hotspur target Kyle Walker-Peters
Southampton star Kyle Walker-Peters certainly fits the bill.
A homegrown Tottenham player, Walker-Peters couldn’t nail down a starting role at Tottenham before leaving for Southampton in 2020.
Walker-Peters has impressed for the Saints and was vital in their promotion back to the Premier League this past season.
Capable of playing at right back or left back, Walker-Peters also ticks the box of being a homegrown player for Tottenham.
A return is attractive and HITC understands that Tottenham are keen on bringing Walker-Peters back to the club this summer.
West Ham United are also keen though and could send midfielder Flynn Downes to Southampton on a permanent basis as part of the deal.
Spurs will therefore face real competition for Walker-Peters and Southampton boss Russell Martin has commented on the defender’s future.
As quoted by the Daily Echo, Martin noted that discussions are ongoing over a potential new deal for Walker-Peters.
The full back is out of contract in 2025, so Southampton may well be minded to let him go this summer before he leaves for free.
Martin is simply crossing his fingers and hoping that Walker-Peters ends up staying put, but he is realistic about potentially selling him.
“Discussions are ongoing and they will be for a while. He had a great season,” said Martin. “When a player is in the final year of their contract it’s a tricky scenario really. We will try to keep him, but then, ideally, nobody leaves the building for nothing at the end of the season.”
“I never think it’s the best way when a player is in the last year of their contract. We had it with Stuey and Che last season, but they were amazing. They got better as the season went on. With Kyle, we are in that position. We will have to wait and see. I will keep my fingers crossed that he is still here,” he added.
Tottenham will be aware of Walker-Peters’ contract situation and may yet pounce for a cut-price deal.
Spurs won’t want to spend a huge fee on a player to primarily serve as cover and competition for Porro and Udogie.
Walker-Peters being inside the final year of his contract adds another level of intrigue for Tottenham and we would make him a name to keep tabs on in the coming weeks.
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