AC Milan could now return to Tottenham Hotspur after their Champions League triumph to target a transfer for Japhet Tanganga. Spurs are no longer opposed to the defender’s exit.
That is according to CalcioMercatoWeb, which reports the Rossoneri will now revisit their interest in Tanganga. San Siro sporting and technical directors Frederic Massara and Paolo Maldini have long appreciated what the 24-year-old could offer if brought over to Serie A.
Massara and Maldini feel so confident in the defender’s talents that they would target a transfer regardless of Stefano Pioli’s future in charge. The Rossoneri manager’s future is in doubt after a horrible Scudetto defence. AC Milan trail Serie A leaders Napoli by 18 points.
AC Milan could revive their interest in a transfer for Japhet Tanganga this summer
Pioli has now led AC Milan to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after eliminating Tottenham 1-0 on aggregate. Brahim Diaz scored the only goal of the Round of 16 tie only seven minutes into the first leg. Spurs struggled to create an attacking threat in either leg.
Massara and Maldini have an eye on the future, though, as AC Milan strive to add to their backline. The Rossoneri hope to add another defender to complement Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu. Thus, a chance to sign Tanganga from Tottenham appeals greatly at San Siro.
Tottenham have previously baulked at interest in Tanganga when AC Milan have explored his transfer. But Spurs are warming to letting him leave after an underwhelming season so far this term. He has only played in five fixtures for just 340 minutes under Antonio Conte.
Tottenham are increasingly open to letting Japhet Tanganga leave north London
AC Milan would need to pay Tottenham €15m (£13.5m) to sign Tanganga in a permanent transfer this summer. But Spurs are increasingly open to letting their academy product go out on loan with an option to buy. His £25k-a-week contract in north London runs to 2025.
Tottenham accept a move away from the Premier League club may suit Tanganga after his campaign spent in the wilderness. Conte has only started the former England U21 enforcer in two Premier League fixtures and two FA Cup ties plus a Champions League cameo so far.
Tanganga still being a Tottenham player astounds Jamie O’Hara as his defensive talents are very questionable. The former Spurs midfielder slammed the centre-half after Conte’s side lost 4-1 at Leicester City. Tanganga made a rare outing starting at the King Power Stadium.
O’Hara told talkSPORT (11/2, 17:38): “How he is still playing for Tottenham, I don’t know… It looks like he has got ice skates on him every time he is defending. It’s embarrassing.”
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