Toby Alderweireld
ESPN has reported that Nikola Milenkovic is Tottenham and Mauricio Pochettino’s top target to replace Toby Alderweireld if the Belgian does leave in summer, a move which does look very likely.
While the North London side did manage to tie Alderweireld down to a deal until 2020, the defender’s new contract now carries a summer release clause of only £25million, which has interested the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona (h/t Mirror), Real Madrid and even Chelsea (h/t Mirror).
This interest for their top centre-back has led to Tottenham plotting a deal for the Florentina’s Nikola Milenkovic with the 21-year-old impressing for the Serie A side this season. He has been a rock at the back for the Viola since his arrival a little over 18 months ago from Partizan. So far this season has seen Nikola Milenkovic play in all but two games this season, one of which was down to a suspension.
Cool and calm on the ball, Nikola Milenkovic combines the best of defending into a towering 6’3” figure and to add to that, he’s extremely agile as well. The 21-year-old has a fantastic passing range and combines it with his ability to read the game beautifully. Always cool, even when he’s up against the best, the Serbian has shown his composure on more than one occasion and like Alderweireld, he would suit Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Pochettino prefers defenders who can the bring the ball out from the back, keep composure and not rush into unnecessary tackles, something which Milenkovic excels at. However, like most modern defenders, the Serbian can pick a pass and does so brilliantly with an average of 80 per cent, which includes 3.3 long-balls sprayed every game in the Serie A alone.
The youngster’s rise has been meteoric and in all likelihood, he’ll keep on developing unless something truly terrible happens.
All this is nothing but good news for Tottenham and while Florentina acquired his services for a mere £4.5million, the North London side will have to shell out somewhere close to ten times that figure if they want him. That would effectively break their transfer record, and even then it wouldn’t be an absolute bargain given Nikola Milenkovic’s ability and rise in Europe.
However, Tottenham will have to battle Manchester United, Juventus and even Atletico Madrid (via Calciomercato) for the 21-year-old’s signature. But it’s a race Spurs need to win if they want to stay relevant in a conversation for a Premier League title race after they lose Toby Alderweireld.
