Tottenham is poised to focus on recruiting a center back this summer.
Tottenham and Newcastle United are interested in recruiting defender Mohamed Simakan 24, Leipzig, who has a buyout clause of 70 million euros about 102.9 billion won, citing German "Sky Sports" reporter Philippe Hinze's social media.
Simakan, a French national, signed his first professional contract with Strasbourg in May 2018. He made his professional debut in July 2019, just over a year later, through a UEFA Europa League match against Maccabi Haifa.
Since then, Shimakan has been a regular player since moving to Leipzig in March 2021. He played 27 Bundesliga matches this season and played a total of 115 matches 6 goals and 11 assists during his three seasons with Leipzig.
Shimakan often shines in set plays as well as defense, as he has an advantage in ball contention using his 187cm height. He can build up with both feet and also complies with passes. Above all, Tottenham is considered to have a multi-ability to see not only center back but also right back.
Tottenham has another defender in mind. According to Germany's Bild, Tottenham is keeping an eye on Piero Incapier aged 22, Leverkusen, which costs at least 40 million euros, and is attempting to contact him in order to recruit him.
Incapier, an Ecuadorian defender, has a contract with Leverkusen through 2027. However, Leverkusen will invest in strengthening its squad through sales to Incapier this summer.
Incapier, who has been playing for Leverkusen since the summer of 2021, played a total of 32 matches this season, and played 108 matches four goals and three assists during the three seasons. He contributed significantly to Leverkusen's unbeaten run to lead the Bundesliga. Not only can he play center back, but also left back and left midfielder, which is also gaining high scores thanks to its utility. 토토사이트
Besides them, Tottenham is also targeting Ricardo Calafiori 22, Bologna and Toshin Adarabioyo 27, Fulham. Calafiori is also capable of playing left-back and left-back midfielders.
However, Tottenham cannot bring all of them. It remains to be seen who will pay more attention to. Tottenham has already strengthened its central defense by recruiting Radu Drugusin in January, with the center-back duo of Christian Romero and Mickey van der Ben in good health.
Tottenham is focusing on strengthening its defense because it is highly likely to win a berth in the UEFA Champions League next season. Tottenham is essential to reinforce its players as it is currently ranked fourth, the last line of the Champions League, after 31 rounds.
It is also related to Tottenham manager Angie Postecoglou's aggressive tactics. This proves his intention to ease the burden on Son and other strikers by displaying stronger and more robust defense through counter benefits. Romero and Van de Ben, who are actually playing tough defense, are always exposed to injury, which desperately needs depth of defense.
As seen in Napoli's tactics where Kim Min-jae 28, Bayern Munich played during the last season, absolute defense stability is necessary for offensive-oriented tactics. In the end, the team needs to strengthen its defense in order to launch offense. In this regard, Napoli's defense presence centered on Kim Min-jae was outstanding in all of Europe.
Moreover, Tottenham maintained the lead by posting no losses in 10 matches eight wins and two draws in the early days of this season, but failed to fill the void left by Romero's departure and Van de Ben's hamstring. Son Heung-min could have replaced Harry Kane Bayern Munich but the thin defense thickness was hardly enough.
Postecoglou, who did not trust Eric Dier 30, Bayern Munich, had to use full-back resources Ben Davies and Emerson Royal as temporary center backs despite their poor performance.
Postecoglou has already expressed his ambition to challenge for the title of next season. Asked whether he is looking forward to competing for the title of next season, he told the British newspaper The Standard on Tuesday, "I hope so. Otherwise, why would I be working?" before emphasizing, "That is why I came to this club."
"My job is to try to achieve success," he said. "If you think you won't be able to participate in the title competition within 12 months, I don't know why I'm here." Reinforcing defense is an essential cornerstone to win the title next season.