One of the rising talents of the Premier League seems to be developing quite the habit of frustrating Tottenham Hotspur.
It is only a few months, after all, since he hit a brace to stun Ange Postecoglou’s side on their own soil, knocking Spurs out of the top-four along the way as the London giants ended up falling short of the Champions League spots.
Six months later, any attempts to bring Joao Gomes back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium look destined to end up disappointment too.
HITC understands that Tottenham are one of five Premier League clubs to have launched an enquiry about the availability of Wolves’ £15 million enforcer. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester rivals United and City are also big admirers of a Rio-born 23-year-old who continues to develop at a pretty alarming race in Old Gold.
But availability? What availability?
Wolves will not sell Tottenham target Joao Gomes
Wolverhampton Wanderers are certainly in no rush to sell. And Joao Gomes is in no rush to leave having only joined a year-and-a-half ago from Brazilian giants Flamengo.
The frustration for Spurs is that, when you consider what Ange Postecoglou wants from his central midfield options, it is difficult to think of a footballer better suited than Gomes would have been.
The former Lyon target – who turned down a move to France in favour of the Midlands – combines the off-the-ball tenacity of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg with the composed qualities in possession of Pape Matar Sarr.
“He is the player who really disarms, who tries to steal the ball, tries to disarm. He is among the best in the world at disarming the opponent,” Maurizio Souza, who coached Gomes’ back in South America, tells Premier League Brasil.
“Joao has always been very technical. A player who played in more midfield positions, as first, second or even a little further forward, because he has technical quality, (and) has a good shot.”
Wolves sell Max Kilman to West Ham United
Tottenham found out the hard way just how fine a striker of the ball Gomes can be back in February. He might not be prolific – two of his three league goals have come against Postecoglou’s side – but those box-crashing abilities are certainly an area of the youngster’s game which appear ripe for improvement.
Spurs’ pursuit, however, looks doomed never to get off the ground. For this summer, at least.
The London giants have local rivals West Ham to blame to some extent too, HITC having been informed that Wolves are no longer under any pressure to cash in on their remaining star players after selling Max Kilman to former boss Julen Lopetegui in a deal worth £40 million.
That should only add to the frustration.
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