The summer transfer window is now open, and Tottenham Hotspur needs to make significant moves.
Although the North London club finally ended their trophy drought by winning the Europa League, it`s crucial not to overlook their incredibly poor performance in the Premier League season.
Therefore, to ensure a marked improvement next season, the club`s leadership, including Daniel Levy, must secure the right players for Ange Postecoglou – or whoever may be in charge.
Fortunately, recent reports suggest the Lilywhites are linked with a player who could be the perfect successor for Son Heung-min, who himself might be departing.
Tottenham Transfer Situation
Tottenham announced last January that they had triggered a one-year extension on Son`s contract. While it initially seemed he would see out this additional season, circumstances have reportedly changed.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sam Wallace of the Telegraph revealed that the club`s captain, who has been at Spurs since 2015, could be “another high-profile departure this summer.”
Wallace explained that interest from the Saudi Pro League presents a genuine opportunity for Spurs to receive a substantial fee for the South Korean star. Following the club`s Europa League victory in Bilbao, he would leave on a high note and undoubtedly as a club legend.
While selling the 32-year-old might not be universally popular among fans, it could explain the club`s reported interest in Bournemouth`s Antoine Semenyo.
Transfer expert Dean Jones recently reported that Spurs are among several clubs considering a move for the Bournemouth attacker this summer.
Jones did not specify a potential fee, but an earlier report linking the 25-year-old to Manchester United suggested that the Cherries might ask for around £60m for their dynamic forward.
While securing the deal could be complex and expensive, Semenyo`s talent and potential make him a worthwhile target, especially considering he would be an excellent replacement for Son.
Why Spurs Should Pursue Semenyo
Despite the potentially significant investment, there are several compelling reasons why Spurs should push to sign Semenyo this summer. His output this past season is a strong starting point.
Playing for a mid-table team, the Ghanaian international still managed an impressive return of 13 goals and seven assists across 42 appearances, totalling 3562 minutes.
This means the former Bristol City player averaged a goal involvement every 2.1 games, or approximately every 178.1 minutes, over the season.
Furthermore, the Chelsea-born player, described as a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, is remarkably versatile. While he would be an excellent option on the left flank, replacing Son, he is comfortable using both feet and can operate effectively from the right or even centrally up front. This versatility would significantly enhance the tactical options available to the next manager.
Finally, this dynamic attacker, who Mattinson believes “is tailor-made for a big team,” possesses impressive underlying statistics. These numbers highlight his significant contribution, including his willingness to put in a strong defensive effort.
According to FBref data (per 90 minutes), Semenyo ranks highly among Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers: in the top 3% for blocks, top 4% for passes blocked, top 5% for total shots, top 8% for aerial duels won, top 10% for shot-creating actions from take-ons and shots, and top 12% for successful take-ons percentage, among other metrics.
In conclusion, despite the substantial price tag, Spurs would be wise to sign Semenyo this summer. He would not only bring genuine quality to the squad in his own right but would also serve as an ideal replacement for Son.
