Lyon have reportedly outbid Tottenham in the race for Celta Vigo midfielder Pape Cheikh Diop.
According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur have been outbid by Lyon in the race to sign Celta Vigo talent Pape Cheikh Diop – but the midfielder would prefer a move to London.
Spurs are still the only Premier League side yet to make a new signing this summer, but with just two weeks of the transfer window to go, Mauricio Pochettino could finally dip into the market and bring in a new face.
Whilst fans may have wanted some major additions, Pochettino’s style throughout his time as Spurs boss has been more geared towards landing under-the-radar players with real potential, and Tottenham’s latest target fits that bill.
Galicia-based newspaper La Voz de Galicia reported on Wednesday that Tottenham are edging towards signing Celta Vigo’s Pape Cheikh Diop, but they could be gazumped at the last minute.
The Daily Mail claim that French side Lyon have swooped in and outbid Tottenham’s £9million bid for Diop, and have also offered him a considerable financial package in an attempt to lure him to the Groupama Stadium.
However, it’s added that Diop has his heart set on a move to Tottenham, meaning Lyon may face a real battle in their attempts to turn him away from a move to London this summer.
The 20-year-old midfielder has made just 27 first-team appearances for Celta Vigo, but his talent and potential appears to have made him a prime target for Pochettino as he weighs up nurturing a young midfielder as Mousa Dembele’s eventual successor.
Diop has also represented Spain at Under-20 level, but with the likes of Marcelo Diaz, Daniel Wass, Nemanja Radoja, Jozabed and Pablo Hernandez are all ahead of him in the pecking order, meaning Celta could well cash in before the transfer deadline – but Spurs may have to move quickly to beat Lyon.
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