According to the Metro, Tottenham Hotspur have begun talks with Serie A outfit Sampdoria over a summer deal for highly-rated centre-back Joachim Andersen.
The Lilywhites have been linked with the 22-year-old for quite some time now and the Lilywhites might make a move for him in the summer should Toby Alderweireld head for the exit door. (h/t Metro)
Alderweireld’s £25 million release clause is set to be activated in the summer transfer window, with many clubs across Europe weighing up a move for the Belgian. Jan Vertonghen is also in the last 18 months of his contract and the veteran has expressed his desire of ending his career at his previous club Ajax. (h/t Metro)
Spurs are currently well-stocked in the centre-back department, with Mauricio Pochettino investing in the likes of Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth as a part of long-term plans. However, with question marks over the future of Vertonghen and Alderweireld, they might need to dip into the transfer window once again.
Joachim Andersen started his development at FC Copenhagen and Midtjylland back in his native Denmark before maturing at FC Twente in the Netherlands prior to his move to the Serie A with Sampdoria in 2017. Since making a switch to Sampdoria, the 22-year-old has emerged as one of the league’s best young centre-backs and his fine form has not eluded the eyes of the Premier League giants.
The former Danish U21 international has been noted for his game-reading and passing ability this season. While he is not particularly known for his tackling skills, he is known for his flawless positioning, which is one of his greatest assets as a centre-back. To add to that, he is also quite good in the air and he has the physicality to rub shoulders with the big guns.
Andersen has completed 26 tackles and 30 interceptions from 23 appearances in the Serie A this term. Another of his key attributes is his ability to play out from the back, averaging 64 passes per game with an accuracy percentage of 89.5. As a matter of fact, he has played a total of 129 accurate long balls in the Serie A this term, figures which would even make a midfielder proud.
To sum it up, Andersen has already shown strong signs of excellence and it would definitely be a good idea for Tottenham to snap him up in the summer as a long-term prospect.
Sampdoria have a wonderful track record when it comes to netting a massive profit by selling youngsters, with Lucas Torreira and Milan Skriniar being among those to have departed for hefty transfer fees in recent times. And there is every possibility that Joachim Andersen might be the next in line.