Tottenham have missed out on PSG defender Milan Skriniar to Fenerbahce
Tottenham Hotspur have had a relatively quiet window despite their mounting injury crisis, with their only addition being goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
The North Londoners have yet to add an outfield player during this winter window but remain eager to secure a new central defender before the transfer deadline on 3 February. Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies have been on the sidelines for more than a month now, forcing Ange Postecoglou to utilize 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray as a makeshift centre-back.
While Davies returned to the squad last week and Romero was spotted in team training on Wednesday, the lack of depth in the central defensive unit is alarming. The Lilywhites have conceded more Premier League goals than 16th-placed Everton this season, having been breached on 35 occasions in 22 games, which has led to Ange Postecoglou being determined to land a centre-back.
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Tottenham have been subject to aggressive links with Paris Saint-Germain defender Milan Skriniar in recent weeks. Once regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe, Milan Skriniar is available for transfer this month and Spurs were understood to be considering a loan bid for the PSG man.
However, according to transfer news guru Fabrizio Romano, Ange Postecoglou’s club have been pipped to a deal by Turkish side Fenerbahce, who is currently managed by former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho. He added on his official X account that Fenerbahce have agreed a deal in principle with PSG to sign Skriniar, with Spurs and other two clubs having shown a willingness for only a loan deal.
As a result, Mourinho’s side have capitalized on the opening, striking an agreement to sign the Slovakian international outright. This will come as a massive blow for Big Ange’s Tottenham given how Skriniar’s potential acquisition would have hugely enhanced their defensive roster. It is a setback to the North Londoners’ plans of improving the squad, especially one that has been destroyed by injuries this season.
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A serial winner in Italy and France, hugely experienced as well as a leader on and off the pitch, Skriniar’s presence could have gone a long way in changing the mentality of the Spurs squad. The ex-Inter Milan star would have been a great mentor for young defenders.
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Now it’s time for Daniel Levy to consider alternatives for Skriniar, and the club chairman along with technical director Johan Lange should try bringing in a budgetary central defender to boost Big Ange’s defensive unit before the window slams shut.
