Benoit Badiashile (R) has impressed with Monaco in the last two seasons (Getty Images)
According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato (h/t football.london), Tottenham Hotspur are looking to seal a deal for AS Monaco ace Benoit Badiashile. The youngster has been producing good performances recently and is on the radar of several clubs amidst a potential move.
The 20-year-old is a product of the SC Malsherbes academy and joined the youth setup of Monaco back in 2016. Success has not come easy for the defender as he has had to work through the ranks at the club before being promoted to the senior team in the summer of 2018.
However, can Spurs swoop him up now? And would he be the right man under Antonio Conte?
Since being promoted to the senior team three years ago, Badiashile has managed to rack up an impressive 102 appearances. At the same time, he has also contributed to 5 goals, indicating that he is an eye for them despite being a centre-back.
He was a part of the side that finished 17th in the 2018/19 season, but the defender was also crucial in sealing a 3rd place finish for the Ligue 1 outfit last season, where they conceded the fourth-least goals (42).
Hence, he is a crucial cog in a youthful Monaco side. However, it also makes sense why Antonio Conte has his eye on him. The Italian joined Spurs earlier this month and is slowly but steadily finding out the hard truths about his squad. The London club added smartly in the summer but let go of some of their experienced men like Toby Alderweireld.
The Belgian was a mainstay under Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho, and his vacancy is yet to be fully filled. Although summer signing Cristian Romero is showing his quality, there might be a need to add another young centre-back. And it would help especially if Conte chooses to continue with his preferred three at the back-formation.
Japhet Tanganga is more of an asset in the full-back role, while Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez are great options to have in a squad. But a team like Tottenham, that compete in four competitions season-after-season, need first-rate centre-backs. Badiashile is certainly one and will only boost the ranks of the backline.
The Frenchman still has three years on his current contract at the Ligue 1 club, and they shall hold the majority of the cards in any potential transfer deal for the player. Moreover, Monaco have a history of charging exorbitant fees for their prized assets.
Bernardo Silva, Thomas Lemar, Kylian Mbappe, Anthony Martial, and a couple of others have left the club for massive amounts in the past, and there is no reason to suggest why Badiashile would let go by them for cheap.
Spurs, on the other hand, made clever additions in the summer because they have a sporting director with a vision. Several clubs were eying Pape Matar Sarr this summer before Fabio Paratici concluded a transfer for him. The Italian is a clever negotiator behind the scenes and would work hard to provide Conte with what he wants.
The North London outfit finally have a title-winning manager at their hands, and they would be smart to please him. France has produced some of the best defenders in the last half a decade, and it might not be long before somebody else understands the value of the 20-year-old. Thus, Tottenham should move fast if they hope to add the talented youngster to their exciting project.
