Spurs could be after a new central midfielder in January.
Italian outlet CalcioMercato have reported that Tottenham Hotspur are to step up their bid to sign a new central midfielder in the January transfer window, after Mousa Dembele suffered an injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Dembele, 31, has travelled to Qatar to receive treatment on his ankle. It puts his future in even more doubt, with the Belgian’s contract at Spurs set to expire at the end of the season.
Spurs were linked with a whole host of central midfielders in the summer, as they were said to be on the lookout for Dembele’s replacement. Now, that search is said to have intensified.
Indeed, the report claims Spurs are to make their move for Cagliari central midfielder Nico Barella, who has been regularly linked with a move to north London. The Express have previously claimed Everton, Spurs and Liverpool wanted him.
The previous report from October suggests any interested parties would have to pay £35million to land the 21-year-old star, who has earned two Italy caps under new manager Roberto Mancini.
Coming through the ranks at Cagliari, Barella played for every single Italy youth side, from Under-15 to Under-21, and has already turned out 87 times for the club’s senior side. He has even captained them three times this term.
Barella certainly boasts the quality and at £35million, he could prove to be a bargain with his best years certainly ahead of him. But he does have a contract at Cagliari until 2022, where it may prove difficult to leave his boyhood club.
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