• IN: Nicolo Zaniolo bears more than a passing resemblance to Brazil great Kaka with the way he glides across the pitch, eye for goal and ability to pick holes in opposition defences. Already a full Italy international, the 21-year-old would be a welcome support act for Harry Kane. Getty Images
    IN: Nicolo Zaniolo bears more than a passing resemblance to Brazil great Kaka with the way he glides across the pitch, eye for goal and ability to pick holes in opposition defences. Already a full Italy international, the 21-year-old would be a welcome support act for Harry Kane. Getty Images
  • OUT: Tanguy Ndombele became Tottenham's record buy when they shelled out upwards of €62 million to sign him from Lyon last summer. A goal on debut against Aston Villa suggested a bright future for the French midfielder but was publicly criticised by Jose Mourinho after being substituted at half-time in the 1-1 draw at Burnley in March. Never nailed down a regular place and may feel his future is best served elsewhere. Reuters
    OUT: Tanguy Ndombele became Tottenham's record buy when they shelled out upwards of €62 million to sign him from Lyon last summer. A goal on debut against Aston Villa suggested a bright future for the French midfielder but was publicly criticised by Jose Mourinho after being substituted at half-time in the 1-1 draw at Burnley in March. Never nailed down a regular place and may feel his future is best served elsewhere. Reuters
  • IN: Reports in Italy suggest a swap deal is being negotiated with Inter Milan for the services of centre-back Milan Skriniar, with Tanguy Ndombele heading in the opposite direction. The Slovakia international, 25, has been a mainstay of Antonio Conte's side that finished second in Serie A and has reached the Europa League final. Getty Images
    IN: Reports in Italy suggest a swap deal is being negotiated with Inter Milan for the services of centre-back Milan Skriniar, with Tanguy Ndombele heading in the opposite direction. The Slovakia international, 25, has been a mainstay of Antonio Conte's side that finished second in Serie A and has reached the Europa League final. Getty Images
  • OUT: Something of a favourite under previous manager Mauricio Pochettino, defender Juan Foyth has hardly had a look in under Mourinho since the Portuguese arrived in November. Newly promoted Leeds are lining up a £15m bid for the Argentine, according to reports. AFP
    OUT: Something of a favourite under previous manager Mauricio Pochettino, defender Juan Foyth has hardly had a look in under Mourinho since the Portuguese arrived in November. Newly promoted Leeds are lining up a £15m bid for the Argentine, according to reports. AFP
  • IN: Lucas Digne has elevated himself to one of the best defending and ball-playing left-backs in Europe since switching Barcelona for Everton. The Toffees would be loathe to lose the Frenchman, but with Danny Rose almost certain to leave and Ryan Sessegnon keen to play more advanced, Digne may prefer the prospect of regular European football to mid-table mediocrity at Goodison. Reuters
    IN: Lucas Digne has elevated himself to one of the best defending and ball-playing left-backs in Europe since switching Barcelona for Everton. The Toffees would be loathe to lose the Frenchman, but with Danny Rose almost certain to leave and Ryan Sessegnon keen to play more advanced, Digne may prefer the prospect of regular European football to mid-table mediocrity at Goodison. Reuters
  • OUT: Danny Rose spent the second half of the season on loan at Newcastle United, who are yet to reveal whether they wish to make the England fullback's move permanent. Has largely burnt his bridges with fans following a series of interviews expressing his desire to leave Spurs, but no doubt the 30-year-old is still more than capable of performing at the top level. Reuters
    OUT: Danny Rose spent the second half of the season on loan at Newcastle United, who are yet to reveal whether they wish to make the England fullback's move permanent. Has largely burnt his bridges with fans following a series of interviews expressing his desire to leave Spurs, but no doubt the 30-year-old is still more than capable of performing at the top level. Reuters
  • IN: Said Benrahma contributed 17 goals to take Brentford to the brink of the Premier League before falling at the final hurdle against Fulham. The Algerian is also being trailed by the likes of Leeds United, Brighton and West Ham. Reuters
    IN: Said Benrahma contributed 17 goals to take Brentford to the brink of the Premier League before falling at the final hurdle against Fulham. The Algerian is also being trailed by the likes of Leeds United, Brighton and West Ham. Reuters
  • OUT: A fan favourite but Erik Lamela has never really hit the heights expected of him when he joined the North London club from Roma seven years ago. Tenacious in the tackle and skilfull on the ball, it remains to be seen whether Mourinho sees the Argentine winger as part of his long-term plans. Reuters
    OUT: A fan favourite but Erik Lamela has never really hit the heights expected of him when he joined the North London club from Roma seven years ago. Tenacious in the tackle and skilfull on the ball, it remains to be seen whether Mourinho sees the Argentine winger as part of his long-term plans. Reuters
  • IN: Relegated Bournemouth have set the bidding at £30 million to prise star striker Callum Wilson away, but one criticism of Spurs is that they have always lacked a quality alternative to injury prone first-choice striker Harry Kane. Wilson, who scored 44 goals for the Cherries during their five-year stay in the top flight, would serve as an able back-up. Reuters
    IN: Relegated Bournemouth have set the bidding at £30 million to prise star striker Callum Wilson away, but one criticism of Spurs is that they have always lacked a quality alternative to injury prone first-choice striker Harry Kane. Wilson, who scored 44 goals for the Cherries during their five-year stay in the top flight, would serve as an able back-up. Reuters
  • OUT: Serge Aurier showed enormous fortitude to finish the season after his brother was shot dead last month, but the fact remains that the Ivorian right-back is a defensive liability. Reuters
    OUT: Serge Aurier showed enormous fortitude to finish the season after his brother was shot dead last month, but the fact remains that the Ivorian right-back is a defensive liability. Reuters

Football

Lucas Digne, Nicolo Zaniolo, Tanguy Ndombele: 5 players Tottenham should sign, 5 who should leave this transfer window

Potential recruits on manager Jose Mourinho's transfer list

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings
Abu Dhabi

August 20, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The way Jose Mourinho celebrated Tottenham's sixth place finish in the Premier League you'd have thought he had won the lottery.

A 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on the final day of the campaign is hardly reason to crack open the finest champagne, but it did secure Europa League football - albeit against a team that had lost their previous seven games.

Quite a fall from grace for a club that contested the Champions League final the previous summer. But given Spurs' erratic form both before and after lockdown, sixth place and European football is probably the best Mourinho could have hoped for after replacing Mauricio Pochettino in November.

The Portuguese made one astute signing in January. Steve Bergwijn's impressive performances on arrival from PSV Eindhoven had many fans clamouring for him to be named the club's player of the year.

Mourinho will hope to find a few more like the Dutch forward in the upcoming transfer window, with the likes of Roma's Nicolo Zaniolo and Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan linked with a move to North London.

Above is a picture gallery of potential transfer targets as well as those who could be on their way out.

To move on to the next image, swipe or click on the arrows.

Premier LeagueJose Mourinho