Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha may be beyond their reach, but there are other Premier League based creative talents that Tottenham could look at this summer.
Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama in action with Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha
Tottenham Hotspur’s long reported interest (Mail) in Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha may have finally been shelved with the news earlier this week that the Ivory Coast international has committed his future to the South London club, securing a new five-year contract with the Eagles, as reported by BBC Sport.
But there are a number of other Premier League options for Spurs to consider, all fulfilling the club’s desire for young, speedy maestros who can make a difference when needed.
Demarai Gray – Leicester City
Leicester City’s Demarai Gray celebrates scoring
The most unproven of the three options, but also the youngest, and perhaps the one with the highest ceiling, Gray has impressed for the Foxes since arriving from Birmingham City as a precocious teenager. Now with a season and a half of Premier League football under his belt, and a title medal to boot, the 20-year-old is full of pace, tricks and a dangerous strike from range, though he would have to improve on his one goal and five assists in the top flight. Certainly someone that Mauricio Pochettino would be able to push to the next level. Spurs have already been credited with an interest, with the Mail suggesting the winger has a £22 million release clause.
Nathan Redmond – Southampton
Southampton’s Nathan Redmond in action with Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele
Whether Southampton would be willing to play ball may make any possible transfer a hard sell, but there is no doubt that Nathan Redmond has impressed in his debut season with the Saints. A goal threat who can play in a number of attacking positions, Redmond won his first England cap recently and at 23-years-old has plenty of time to push on. More direct than the other two on this list, his searing pace and close control would be a useful tool for Spurs if he were to join.
Riyad Mahrez – Leicester City
Gray’s Leicester teammate one of the finest difference makers in the division, with Riyad Mahrez arguably the crucial ingredient in Leicester’s astonishing title win. Creative, outrageously skilful and capable of wonder goals, the Algerian would offer something no other player in the Tottenham squad can. He wouldn’t be cheap – with the Foxes turning down £35 million from Arsenal last summer according to the Express – but he should still have his best years ahead of him at 26-years-old, and could have that bit of trickery that breaks the deadline in tight games and finally earns Pochettino’s men some silverware.
Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring
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