According to a report from Football Espana, Arsenal and Tottenham are both interested in signing Real Betis ace Aissa Mandi this summer.
Aissa Mandi, 27, joined Real Betis from Reims in 2016 and didn’t take much time to become a permanent fixture in the team. He has made 36 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring two goals and supplying an assist.
The Algerian’s stellar displays at the heart of Betis defence have caught the attention of North London rivals- Arsenal and Tottenham. Both the teams are in dire need of defensive reinforcements but Tottenham should beat Arsenal to the signature of Aissa Mandi this summer.
Tottenham have one of the best defenders in the Premier League in Toby Alderweireld. Alderweireld joined Tottenham from Southampton back in 2015 and has established himself as a crucial part of the team’s defence. However, the Belgian’s future remains uncertain and he is out of contract at Tottenham in 2020.
But the 30-year-old will be available in the summer for just £25million after Spurs triggered a clause in his contract, reports the Guardian. This leaves Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs at the risk of losing Alderweireld to any club in the summer for a relatively cheaper price.
Therefore, it’s important for Pochettino to strengthen his options at the back and he should target Mandi.
Mandi is known for his aerial ability and an astute sense of positioning as a centre-back. He is strong and powerful in the air, tenacious in the tackle and is also very quick on the ground. The Algerian doesn’t fluster in pressure situations and has the confidence to play out from the back – the traits needed in a modern-day defender.
The former Reims defender reads the game very well and is a fantastic organiser of the rearguard. Mandi is not particularly fast and agile, but he is good at keeping the opposition at bay with his tackling and interception skills.
Known for his game reading ability and positional awareness, the 27-year-old likes to stay on his feet and often clear the ball away from the back. Not to forget, Mandi is also equally comfortable operating in three-man defence and at right-back.
Should Alderweireld leave Spurs in summer, Pochettino will be left with an ageing Jan Vertonghen and two young defenders in Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez. Hence, adding experience and solidity to the backline will be important and Mandi fits the bill perfectly at Tottenham.
Still only 27, Mandi has significant time remaining in his prime and Pochettino would definitely strike gold by making a move for the versatile Algerian ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.
