If Luka Modric is sold as expected, who should Tottenham Hotspur replace him with?
Modric is highly likely to leave Spurs this summer according to reports, with a transfer to Real Madrid currently seeming most likely.
If they do receive £30 million for him they could spend it on more than one player, and will have numerous options to sign and the choice will rest with their next manager.
Here are seven they could go for to improve their midfield options…
Ander Herrera
Age: 22 Club: Athletic Bilbao
Bilbao midfielder Herrera has been dubbed the ‘Spanish Steven Gerrard’ for his accomplished performances in the centre of the park. He was a star of Spain’s successful European Championships under-21 squad last summer and continued to impress for Bilbao during their superb run last season which saw the club reach the Europa League Final. He has been linked with Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool, and is thought to be available for around £16 million. Herrera is as adept defensively as going forward, and contributed three goals and seven assists last season.
Alan Dzagoev
Age: 22 Club: CSKA Moscow
Russian playmaker Dzagoev is the man of the moment after impressing at Euro 2012 and is in demand across Europe. Tottenham could offer him first team football to pull the strings in midfield in place of Modric, which could be tempting rather than becoming a squad player at a club like Chelsea or Real Madrid. Dzagoev’s contract expires in December, meaning Spurs could also sign him for a knock down price of around £10 million. He scored three goals in three games at Euro 2012 and in his short career has scored goals past Manchester United and Inter Milan. Rivals Arsenal are reportedly interested and Spurs would love to get one over on their bitter rivals.
Michu
Age: 26 Club: Rayo Vallecano
Attacking midfielder Michu scored a superb 15 goals in La Liga last season for strugglers Rayo Vallecano and could be available for a bargain price under £5 million due to his club’s financial troubles. Manchester United and Liverpool are two clubs to express an interest and Spurs would be wise to bid for the versatile star who can also play on the left or right of midfield. He is 25 and has previously stated he would welcome offers from the Premier League. He is strong in the air and quick with his feet and Tottenham could afford to sign him and have plenty of change left over for a second signing.
Joe Allen
Age: 22 Club: Swansea City
Young Welshman Joe Allen impressed everybody in his debut Premier League season with his accomplished displays for Swansea. Brendan Rodgers is prevented from signing him for Liverpool thanks to an agreed 12-month transfer embargo between the two clubs, which does not include Gylfi Sigurdsson, and Tottenham should try to snap up the young star before Liverpool come calling next summer. He scored four goals and provided two assists in 31 starts, but it was his pass completion percentage of 91.2 per cent which helped him win plaudits. He is a naturally good footballer who has the ability to step up to the next level and would cost no more than £10 million.
Alberto Aquilani
Age: 27 Club: Liverpool
This one is a long shot and may not be a popular choice, but Spurs would do well to consider Aquilani, a player they could sign on the cheap. Liverpool are open to a sale for the player Rafa Benitez spent £17 million on, but AC Milan are undecided on whether to make his loan move permanent after making 18 starts last season. The midfielder is the right age and has unfinished business in English football and will have a point to prove. Liverpool has proved not the best surroundings for him to flourish but a permanent move down south to London could be a masterstroke if Spurs can get him playing to the best of his ability. The Italian provided seven assists for Milan last season scoring one goal and Spurs could sign him for as little as £6 million.
Petr Jiracek
Age: 26 Club: Wolfsburg
Jiracek was one of the stars of Euro 2012 for the Czech Republic, scoring goals against Greece and Poland. He only signed with Wolfsburg in December, and injury prevented him from making an impact soon after signing, but if Tottenham submit a big offer the Germans could cash in. They paid just £3.5 million to sign him from Viktoria Plzen, but if Spurs almost treble that and offer £10 million both clubs will be winners. He scored twice in nine games in the Bundesliga and is capable of playing as a holding midfielder and going forward. He likes to shoot from distance and could work well with Scott Parker in the middle of the park, but Spurs may still want to sign a more creative passer of the ball in tandem.
Axel Witsel
Age: 23 Club: Benfica
Witsel is another talented young Belgian who is tipped to take Europe by storm. The all-action midfielder cost the Portuguese side £8 million when signed from Standard Liege last summer but would be available at the right price despite having four years left on his contract. Witsel is a tough tackler and good passer of the ball and would be well suited to the Premier League, playing against Manchester United and Chelsea for his club last year. He has been linked with United, Chelsea and Arsenal, just don’t mention Anderlecht, where he is a hate figure after stamping on an opponents’ leg and breaking it. Benfica are likely to ask for around £20 million, but Spurs could afford that with their Modric money and still have plenty spare to pick up another cheaper target.
Also mentioned in the papers this weekend, Nuri Sahin, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Moussa Dembele, Keizsuke Honda.
Which of the above should Tottenham target to improve their midfield?
image: © rafizeldi
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