Tottenham should avoid Leonardo Bittencourt, despite bargain price

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Tottenham are likely to be active in the summer transfer window.

Mauricio Pochettino’s main transfer agenda come the summer will be to add depth to his Tottenham Hotspur midfield, with doubts surrounding the future of Mousa Dembele.

The powerhouse midfielder has just one more season on his current deal in north London, and the Telegraph report that his desire to remain at Spurs for another three years could scupper his chances of earning a new deal.

With Spurs boasting only four central midfielders including Dembele – Harry Winks, Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama – Pochettino must begin to draw up a shortlist of central midfield players ahead of the summer window.

It appears he has begun to do so, with German magazine Kicker claiming Pochettino is interested in landing Koln midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt.

The 24-year-old playmaker has been a shining light in relegation-threatened Koln’s 2017-18 campaign, boasting impressive technical ability and vision. It has seen AS Monaco also credited with an interest.

The report claims Spurs can land the uncapped German for just £7million, if Koln are relegated. They currently sit in 17th place, but Pochettino must consider whether Bittencourt is really worth purchasing.

A Germany Under-21 international, the right-footer can play in central midfield but is more recognised going forward and playing behind the striker or on the flanks.

For a side looking to rub shoulders with the big boys of the Champions League, Spurs need players with proven quality at the top level. Bittencourt has managed just two minutes of Champions League football throughout his career.

Just two goals this season, he is hardly the kind of calibre of player that Spurs require. Despite his bargain price, Pochettino should continue to scour the market for talent and leave Bittencourt behind.