Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen to add the Spanish starlet to their attacking options.
Barcelona’s Munir El Haddadi in action with Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne
Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Barcelona starlet Munir El Haddadi this week, in reports from Spain such as Sport.es, and though this may be an exciting rumour, it would carry an air of familiar uncertainty over the 20-year-old and how he would take to English football.
Spurs have a little history when it comes to signing young talents form Barcelona, and it isn’t necessarily a move that has come off well in the past.
Giovanni dos Santos arrived at White Hart Lane to great fanfare in 2008, having just gotten a full season of football under his belt at the Nou Camp.
New Spurs signings Giovani Dos Santos, Luka Modric, and Heurelho Gomes in 2008
But the Mexico star failed to cash in on his talent during four disappointing years in North London. There were allegations from his manager Harry Redknapp that he didn’t have the work ethic to succeed in English football (Star), despite there being little doubt about his footballing ability.
Dos Santos only played 33 matches for Spurs, often appearing as a substitute, before he returned to La Liga on loan and then a permanent move to Mallorca, swiftly joining Villarreal on their return to the top flight.
There is of course no certainty that Munir would go the same way if he was to move to White Hart Lane, but similarities between the current Barca man and Dos Santos certainly exist, at least on the surface, given his profile as an attacking starlet and his brief time in and around the Spanish giants’ first team.
Munir would certainly benefit from having a manager in Mauricio Pochettino who was himself a former player for a Barcelona side, turning out for Espanyol, so he would be working with someone who understood Spanish football and La Liga players, and also would surely be more understanding of a young player moving to a new culture.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
The Spanish cap has also been involved within the first team for three seasons, more than Dos Santos, and it has been three seasons where Barca have won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and a Champions League. Dos Santos failed to help Barcelona win any major trophies in his sole campaign with the senior side, suggesting Munir is at a higher level than Dos Santos when he moved.
But the success of any move, should it happen, will depend on whether the player’s attitude fits in line with that of Tottenham and manager Pochettino.
With reports suggesting the deal would cost £13 million (Mail), and with a buy back clause reportedly a hindrance to discussions, Spurs have to make sure the potential for success for any move significantly outweighs any risks.
Picture Supplied by Action Images – Munir
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