Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a swoop for Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Tottenham Hotspur ended the January transfer window with one new signing as Brazilian winger Lucas Moura arrived from Paris Saint-Germain, but speculation already surrounds the summer transfer window.
Spurs rarely do business in January, but with late business being the worrying theme of the last two summer transfer windows, fans may hope to see work done early this time around.
Finding a successor for Mousa Dembele in the middle of the park may well be a priority for manager Mauricio Pochettino this summer, given that the Belgian has had injury issues this season and has little similar competition behind him.
The Daily Mail reported last week that Tottenham are plotting a summer move for Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, with the Frenchman’s impressive displays catching Pochettino’s attention.
Doucoure, 25, has hit seven goals this season, whilst his defensive work also suggests that he can be an ideal Dembele replacement, with the Sunday People (printed edition, 11/02/2018 – page 51) claiming that Watford want £25million for the midfielder.
Whether Spurs are willing to splash that much remains to be seen, but after the London Evening Standard claimed that Tottenham are prepared to offer midfielder Joshua Onomah to Watford in a deal for Richarlison, Pochettino and co may be wise to consider such an offer for Doucoure.
Onomah has been out on loan at Aston Villa this season, but hasn’t started a league game in almost two months, meaning he is unlikely to have proven himself as competition for Dembele next season, hence interest in Doucoure.
Watford may well be tempted by Onomah’s potential though, much as they were for Nathaniel Chalobah last summer, and if it lands them a player like Doucoure, then offering up Onomah may be one way for Tottenham to secure his signature, and beat Arsenal and Liverpool to the Watford star’s signature.
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