Tottenham Identify Serie A Defender as Potential Van de Ven Replacement
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly taking proactive steps to address potential defensive departures, with sources indicating the club is preparing a bid for Napoli centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno. This move comes amidst growing speculation that Liverpool are targeting Spurs' star defender Micky van de Ven, particularly if Tottenham's domestic struggles persist into the summer transfer window.
Frank's Position Strengthened by European Success
Head coach Thomas Frank received a significant boost to his tenure with Tottenham's impressive 2-0 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund. First-half goals from Cristian Romero and the recently returned Dominic Solanke secured a crucial win for the Lilywhites, providing some respite for Frank after fans called for his dismissal following a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to West Ham United in the Premier League.
Despite sitting outside the top four domestically, Tottenham maintain a strong position in Europe's premier competition, currently placed within the top eight of the Champions League. Interestingly, four of Spurs' seven home victories this season have come in European competition, a statistic Frank will be eager to improve upon in league matches during the coming weeks.
Buongiorno Emerges as January Target
According to reports from GiveMeSport, Tottenham are "preparing an official move" to sign the 26-year-old Italian international before the January transfer window closes. The club are said to be "ready" to submit a formal bid for the defender, who joined Napoli from Torino just eighteen months ago for a fee of £34.7 million.
Italian publication Calcio Mercato suggests Buongiorno "has his bags ready" and is prepared to bid farewell to the Serie A champions. The twelve-cap Italy international is reportedly seeking more regular first-team football, creating an opportunity for Tottenham to potentially secure his services from former Spurs manager Antonio Conte's current club.
Previously described as "remarkable" and considered "one of the best defenders in Italy," Buongiorno faces a potential career crossroads should Tottenham formalise their interest with an official offer in the coming days.
Van de Ven's Future Hangs in Balance
While replacing Van de Ven would represent a significant challenge for Tottenham's defensive unit, the pursuit of Buongiorno suggests the club recognises the need to strengthen their centre-back options and may be preparing for worst-case scenarios regarding their Dutch star's future.
Recent analysis from journalist Ben Jacobs indicates Tottenham would demand an extraordinary fee for Van de Ven, potentially reaching British transfer record levels, despite the defender having just two years remaining on his current contract come summer.
Jacobs noted on GiveMeSport's Market Madness podcast: "I'm told at this stage that Tottenham Hotspur value Micky van de Ven as not just a record defender sale but as a British transfer record fee." He added that the player's family connections to Liverpool could influence future decisions, but any potential move is more likely to develop into a summer saga rather than immediate business.
The journalist explained: "Micky van de Ven's future is one to watch for sure, but it's all going to depend on where that Tottenham project is come summer before the player makes a determination as to whether he wants to extend or potentially start exploring options."
Tottenham's January transfer activity appears focused on both immediate reinforcement and long-term planning, with Buongiorno emerging as a potential solution should their prized defensive asset attract serious interest from Premier League rivals in the coming months.
