Report: Club expecting Tottenham to bid for £23m striker; identify 28-year-old’s replacement

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Real Sociedad are expecting another approach for Willian Jose from Tottenham Hotspur, with Sevilla’s Carlos Fernandez lined up as a replacement for the Brazil international, according to El Desmarque.

Eight months ago, the former Real Madrid youngster had little choice but to make a rather grovelling apology when a dream move to one of the biggest clubs in English football passed him by.

“I saw that it was a very good opportunity for me to get out of here and play Champions League, with a Premier League team,” Willian Jose told Marca back, his tail firmly fixed between his legs after an attempt to force a move out of San Sebastian ended in failure.

“Many things have happened, and all I have to do is apologise to the fans, the teammates and the coach, who have always trusted me.”

At the time, Willian Jose must have felt that a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had slipped through his fingers. But, fortunately for him, it seems that Tottenham’s interest is no one-time thing.

With Jose Mourinho making it clear that signing a striker is an absolute necessity over the final few weeks of the transfer window, Willian Jose is reportedly back on an extensive hit-list also containing Bas Dost, Arkadiusz Milik, Troy Deeney and Carlos Vinicius.

Calciomercato even suggests that Spurs will test Sociedad’s resolve with a new £23 million offer.

New claims from Spain today certainly bode well, not just for Spurs but for an old-school target man who has made no secret of his desire to play Premier League football at the peak of his powers.

El Desmarque report that Sociedad, expecting an approach from Tottenham, have identified Carlos Fernandez as Jose’s successor.

Sevilla-owned Fernandez scored 11 La Liga goals on loan at high-flying Granada last term.

What’s more, Willian Jose is no longer the undisputed starter he once was at a Sociedad side whose fast-paced, three-flowing football is better suited to the nimble Alexander Isak than a bullish, barrel-chested number nine.