Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly targeting Watford duo Abdoulaye Doucoure and Richarlison.
The January transfer window hasn’t even been closed for a month yet, but speculation over the summer transfer window is already emerging months in advance.
Tottenham Hotspur ended the January window with one new signing in the bag, as Brazilian winger Lucas Moura arrived from Paris Saint-Germain, handing Mauricio Pochettino another attacking option.
However, speculation now suggests that Tottenham are already eyeing up targets for the summer, with The Sun claiming that Spurs are looking to make a £50million double raid on Watford for Abdoulaye Doucoure and Richarlison.
Doucoure, 25, has been one of the surprises of the season with seven goals in 26 Premier League games, and the French midfielder’s box-to-box qualities mean that Tottenham may just see him as cover for – and the heir to – Mousa Dembele.
Meanwhile, Brazilian attacker Richarlison burst onto the scene this season after a summer move from Fluminense, and whilst his productivity has slowed down in recent months, he has still notched five goals and four assists this term.
Tottenham may well want both players, with Doucoure adding another box-to-box option in midfield whilst Richarlison could provide some unpredictability in the final third, but their alleged £50million transfer plan may be a little short of the mark.
In the current transfer market, Watford are surely unlikely to accept what is essentially £25million per player, with 20-year-old attacker Richarlison surely set to top £35million on his own, before even adding a consistent performer like Doucoure into the deal.
If Spurs are serious about signing both players, then the figure needed may end up needing to be closer to £60million or even £70million, and it remains to be seen whether Daniel Levy would sanction such deals as Spurs prepare to move into their new stadium.
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