Tottenham accelerate January signing plan after Van de Ven blow – Sources
Tottenham are set to accelerate their plans to sign a new centre-back after Micky van de Ven’s injury blow, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the club are “doing their homework” on several defensive targets ahead of the January transfer window.
Van de Ven, 23, has featured ten times under Ange Postecoglou so far this season with the boss often choosing to rest him in midweek fixtures to avoid the risk of an injury.
However, he has been sidelined for potentially four to six weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury during the 2-1 Carabao Cup victory against Man City.
Former Spurs scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 30 October that the club want to build further strength in depth at the back – and that need has now become more urgent.
One option under consideration to provide cover for the defence is 20-year-old Lens star Abdukodir Khusanov who has attracted interest from top clubs around Europe.
Tottenham plot move to sign new centre-back after Van de Ven blow
The central defender lacks experience at the top level, having made just 62 senior appearances in his career, while 37 of those came in the Belorussian second tier.
Since making the move to Lens in 2023, he has become a highly-regarded prospect in France, but there is a feeling he needs more experience before stepping up with a big move.
The 20-year-old has also picked up 16 caps for Uzbekistan and is a regular at international level, and clubs regard him as an exciting prospect for the future.
However, they were warned that his lack of experience may cause issues in a side who want to challenge for European football, with Spurs in the same situation.
Khusanov is one of several centre-backs on Tottenham’s list of transfer targets amid growing concerns about their strength in depth at the back.
They are expected to prioritise the signing of a new option in the January transfer window, with Van de Ven’s injury exposing the lack of cover.
In other news, Tottenham insider shares ‘definite’ Pedro Porro to Man City claim.
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