Tottenham need a top quality defensive midfielder, and Paris Saint-Germain want Benjamin Stambouli. Could this be the solution?
With rumours that Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Tottenham midfielder Benjamin Stambouli for £6 million according to the Mail, and expectations that Mauricio Pochettino will attempt to strengthen his midfield this summer, there is one player Spurs could pursue that could make everyone happy.
Thiago Motta is a double Champions League winner, also winning titles in three different countries, and this week opened up to the idea of leaving PSG after three years at the club in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I get the impression that a cycle is coming to an end for me,” the 32-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I have given and received so much.
“It would be more comfortable to stay, but I wouldn’t be honest with myself, nor the club, which I have grown to love.
“It’s not a question of money, but of motivation.
“Returning to Inter would be a real challenge, as (coach Roberto) Mancini has shown with his choice to join the club again at a delicate moment.”
Though the midfielder has made it clear that he would prefer a switch back to Inter Milan, just looking at his history indicates that he isn’t someone who is afraid to move to a new country or a new club, while also being fully able to adapt once he moves there.
What is also evident is that Motta is considering moving on from Paris, regardless of whether there is concrete interest from his old club, with Stambouli his possible replacement. A fine way way to tie up the deal would be for Spurs to look into the two clubs exchanging players.
Stambouli has never really been given a chance at Spurs, but it looks like Mauricio Pochettino is open to his departure, and the 24-year-old remains very highly thought of in France.
Someone of Motta’s composure and experience on the ball would be a perfect foil for Tottenham’s many outstanding young midfield talents. What the likes of Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason often lacked last season was the nous of when to play simple possession football and also when to track runners from midfield, or how to stop them appearing in threatening positions between the lines.
Motta is an expert at that reading of the defensive midfield game, and would not only represent a top class improvement if he were to join, but also be a prime example for those looking to understand the intricacies and awareness involved in being a successful player in that role.
Inter Milan have been looking for midfield reinforcements, but have already signed Geoffrey Kondogbia from Monaco, and appear to have more than one irons in the fire when it comes to possible additions, but if the Nerazzurri don’t pursue Motta, and Spurs make it clear they want to involve him in the starting eleven, the Italy international may well consider taking his football to a fourth European league for a couple of seasons.
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