The versatile Real Betis and Algeria defender is believed to be on the North Londoners’ radar.
Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a summer move for Real Betis defender Aissa Mandi, according to a report.
The Lilywhites have not signed any players for the last two windows but The Guardian claims that a defender is high up on Mauricio Pochettino’s wish list ahead of the 2019-20 season.
Spurs are reportedly shopping around for reinforcements due to the uncertain future of Toby Alderweireld, who according to The Telegraph has a £25million release clause before the final two weeks of the next transfer window.
So, what is Mandi’s footballing CV like and what can he bring to Spurs?
Mandi is 27 years old, 6ft tall, came through the ranks in French football at Reims, a club which he played for at senior level between 2009 and 2016, and made 169 appearances which featured an impressive 14 goals and 11 assists (Transfermarkt).
In 2016 he moved to Betis and has enjoyed a fruitful spell in Spain so far, with 97 appearances to his name and another couple of goals and assists in this time.
Mandi also boasts plenty of international experience with Algeria, with 42 caps and a goal to his name, and crucially, appearances at big tournaments including the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
In terms of style of play, the reported former West Ham target (ABC Sevilla) is a right-back by trade but has mainly been deployed as a centre-back in Andalusia and can also play at left-back (Transfermarkt).
According to a Soccer Souls scouting report, Mandi is versatile, has “physicality and good understanding of the game” and is “an aggressive defender, a leader and a fantastic organiser”, while Whoscored lists him as being “very strong” in passing, “strong” in blocking the ball and “likes to play short passes”.
To conclude, it seems as though Mandi could be earmarked either as an Alderweireld replacement or just a general versatile reinforcement across the back line, and looks like he could be a suitable Poch signing.
However, with Arsenal also reported to be sniffing around, Spurs should be decisive and move quickly if they’re interested.
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