Tottenham Hotspur wanted Mohamed Simakan but the RB Leipzig ace has decided to sign a new deal with the Bundesliga club.
Spurs may well look to re-tool their defensive options in 2023.
Cristian Romero is quality and Eric Dier has mostly played well under Antonio Conte but Davinson Sanchez has struggled.
Sanchez doesn’t look comfortable playing out from the back on the right side of Conte’s back there

Tottenham Hotspur wanted Mohamed Simakan
Tottenham may now look to bring in a player who can play at right back and centre back, just to offer a more natural player in the build-up phase than Sanchez.
One name that fits that bill is RB Leipzig’s Mohamed Simakan.
According to a report from The Times in November, Tottenham were planning a January move to sign Simakan.
It was suggested that Tottenham had held internal talks over Simakan and a push for his signature in the New Year was expected.
Well, if Tottenham were laying their hopes on a January deal for Simakan then they will be very, very disappointed.
RB Leipzig have today confirmed that Simakan has signed a new contract with the club until 2027.
The French defender has committed his future to Leipzig and seemingly made it clear that he won’t be leaving in January.
Sporting director Max Eberl was delighted, stating that Simakan has ‘great potential’ and is making ‘fantastic progress’ in Germany.
Simakan, 22, joined Leipzig from Strasbourg in 2021 and has now made 60 first-team appearances for Marco Rose’s side.
A talented defender who has now shown real promise as a right back, Simakan could have been just what Tottenham have been seeking.
Tottenham decision-makers were seemingly ready and waiting to make their move for Simakan but Leipzig have made sure he doesn’t leave – and Tottenham must now go back to the drawing board.
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