Diego Carlos is one of the best defenders in La Liga (Getty Images)
According to the Telegraph, Tottenham are eyeing a summer swoop for Sevilla defender Diego Carlos as the Lilywhites boss is an avid admirer of the Brazilian.
Carlos, 27, came through the ranks of Desportivo Brazil and had spells with Paulista FC and Estoril before moving to France with FC Nantes. In his three seasons in France, he made 108 appearances and made a name for himself. Last summer, he was signed by Spanish side Sevilla.
Since then, he has become a mainstay under Julen Lopetegui and has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in La Liga this term. His impressive performances have also attracted the attention of several top clubs including Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid, as per The Metro.
The Lilywhites, meanwhile, have struggled throughout the campaign under both Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho. The latter’s arrival got them off to a good start but the results didn’t last long. Tottenham have been inconsistent ever since they lost the Champions League finals to Liverpool last season.
While Harry Kane and Heung Min-Son’s absence cost them a lot in the attacking situations, the defence has also been one of the major factors for their downfall. They have failed as a unit but since the restart of the games, Mourinho’s men look sharper than before. The manager has most of his key players available for the remainder of the season.
However, Tottenham find themselves in 7th position in the league table and it is definitely an outside chance to make it to the top four. Thus, to lift themselves and progress next season, the manager needs to bring in reinforcements to key areas.
Tottenham’s defence has already conceded 41 goals so far in the league and it is clear that they need to bring in defensive reinforcements. Moreover, veteran defender Jan Vertonghen is set to leave North London at the end of the season and needs to be replaced at the earliest.
Toby Alderweireld has also not been at his best and young Juan Foyth’s future still remains uncertain. Hence, a centre-back is a must in the summer.
In that regard, signing Carlos would be a massive boost to Tottenham’s backline. The Brazilian has been on top of his game and has helped his side keep 12 clean sheets in 29 games. He has also been instrumental in Sevilla reaching 4th position in the La Liga table as they have conceded just 32 goals so far.
His inclusion to Mourinho’s squad would definitely add depth to the squad, whilst also bringing healthy competition. Carlos has been reliable at the back in the last few years and has grown to be a consistent central defender. And he could be a perfect replacement for Vertonghen.
At the age of 27, the former Nantes man is about to enter his prime and he has the ability to succeed at the highest level. Considering Tottenham’s poor display at the back, it is clear that they need some defensive reinforcements. And Carlos could provide them with the stability at the back. Thus, they need to lure the Brazilian to North London at the earliest.
