According to SkySports, Tottenham are chasing the signature of Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele but will have to fight off interest from the Manchester clubs. Lyon are not willing to sanction the sale, having just signed the youngster permanently from AS Amiens following a successful season-long loan.
The 21-year-old, capped 8 times by France U21, fits the profile of a Tottenham signing, who are in the market for a Moussa Dembele replacement, with speculation growing about his possible summer move to Italy or China.
Dubbed as ‘the new Patrick Vieira’, Ndombele was among the best specialist central midfielders who performed well statistically in the Ligue 1 last season, making 47 appearances for Lyon. He made 50 appearances, including 35 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring a goal and providing 8 assists across all competitions. Interestingly, Ndombele started a whopping 44 matches for both Lyon and AS Amiens, coming on a substitute on six occasions only.
If Spurs can shell enough money to convince bellicose Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas to sell, Tottenham hierarchy will have invested for the present and the future. Ndombele could add dynamism to a Spurs team already boasting of a plethora of talent like Eriksen, Alli, Dembele, Lucas Moura, Lamela, Wanyama, Dier and Sissoko. Ndombele would replace Dembele alongside Dier in a 2-man midfield in Mauricio Pochettino’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Spurs have a solid midfield but Ndombele’s dribbling skills, ability to dictate play from deep via through balls would add more dynamism in the middle of the park. Ndombele has a tireless work-rate and is capable of operating in both boxes, providing key passes. Spurs would have a midfield pair full of energy, thus allowing them to press opponents better high up the pitch even in a 3-5-1-1 formation.
Lyon have a proven record of auguring smart signings using youth players from their famed academy to create a side and consistently challenge for the Ligue 1.
The club has a policy of developing talent and then selling it to the bigger clubs for huge profits, with Michael Essien, Mahamadou Diarra, Eric Abidal, Florent Malouda, Hatem Ben Arfa, Karim Benzema, Miralem Pjanic, Hugo Lloris, Samuel Umtiti, Clinton N’Jie, Corentin Tolisso, Dejan Lovren, Loic Remy, Tiago, Alexandre Lacazette and Anthony Martial being some of the big names to come through Lyon since the turn of the century.
Ndombele might be young but definitely not inexperienced, having racked up 81 appearances for Amiens and Lyon over the last two seasons. Tottenham should certainly sign the midfielder before other clubs pounce on the youngster.
