More Tottenham Transfer Talk

Well it is Sunday morning, game day and Tottenham Hotspur Blog News (THBN) brings you some more Tottenham Transfer Talk ahead of our game against Manchester United this afternoon.

I enjoy getting in the Jag and driving even if it is only a short journey, it puts a smile on your face.

Everyone needs something to put a smile on your face, like watching your wife dreamily sleeping...

And thinking how wonderful she looks...

And isn't it nice and peaceful without her nagging me!

Anyway, enough of your special time, let's get into the Tottenham Transfer Talk for today.

Despite his England blunder, Spurs continue to watch John Stones and are kept abreast of his situation.

The same applies to Brighton & Hove Albion captain Lewis Dunk, the 29-year-old (30 in December) centre-back.

Toby Alderweireld, as we know, is negotiating, or at least having preliminary discussions, with other clubs over a transfer this summer.

He does not want to play for Mourinho next season and as his career winds down he wants regular football.

Stones and Dunk are, of course, just two of many, they are both homegrown, but Stones wages may be an issue.

On the subject of Manchester City, Tottenham have made an offer to Sergio Aguero through his agent, but we are just one of many clubs who have done so.

Marcel Sabitzer remains keen on joining Tottenham after turned down the new contract offered by RB Leipzig that would have seen him become their highest paid player.

Tottenham are watching Italian international keeper and AC Milan vice-captain, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The 22-year-old (23 in February) has 90 days left on his contract with the Serie A side.

At 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in), Donnarumma (25 international caps) would be an imposing figure between the sticks.

The great Gianluigi Buffon himself has praised the youngster's physical strength, technical ability, mental composure and decision making, while World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Dino Zoff, said Donnarumma seems "predestined to become a great goalkeeper," and that "it all depends completely on him."

Some youngsters with the mental strength push on while others are happy to stagnate, telling the difference would save a fortune in the transfer market.

Former Milan and Italy goalkeeper Giovanni Galli once described Donnarumma as a potentially world-class goalkeeper, praising his discipline, intelligence, concentration, and professionalism.

You can see why Tottenham are interested in him and have been following his career for a few years.

Scouting a player this way, either live or by video, keeps the club abreast of the player and his circumstances. You never know when a player might become available or you may know his plans a few years in advance (such as a desire to run down a contract).

Burnley have priced Pope out of the market, you would expect Manchester United to do the same with Dean Henderson.

Tottenham have enquired about taking Henderson on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy and we given assurances about the amount of playing time.

Donnarumma and Ligue 1 goalkeeper of the year 2018/19 Mike Maignan are two realistic affordable high quality alternatives.

His agent, Mino Raiola, has yet to agree new terms amid reports his client has been offered €10m (£167,000 per week) salary by an unnamed club, but possibly PSG, to leave Milan.

Milan have offered him €8m (£133,559 per week) to sign but his agent is demanding a huge fee for his client to sign which Milan, as yet, are not prepared to pay.

In my opinion things will get sorted and he will sign a new contract, it's the club he supported as a boy.

Mike Maignon at €12m (£10.42 million) looks the more obvious choice.

Having seen Kieran Trippier make a success of life at Atlético de Madrid, the Spanish club are evaluating midfielder Harry Winks as a potential summer transfer target.

I believe they are looking at a figure around €21.5m (£18.66 million).

Brazilian Philippe Coutinho is available this summer for a fee of not less than €35m (£30.38 million).

Others, I see, are quoting a figure of £36m having lazily not bothered to convert from euros to pounds.

The 28-year-old (29 in June) is a player we have been watching this season after discussions last summer.

Club Brugge and PSV Eindhoven are still trying to temp Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham but both will struggle with wages and a transfer fee, there simply isn't enough money in football in second tier leagues.

The Belgian international is under contract until 2023 but is seemingly on his way at Spurs with the club looking to bring in two new centre-backs.

I predict yet again that Eric Dier will be the centre-back remaining at Tottenham and not Davinson Sanchez.

Juan Foyth is of course on loan in Spain and want to make that move permanent.

You all know Marcel Sabitzer turned down a new contract to make him the highest paid player at RB Leipzig and that he is keen on a move to Tottenham hotspur.

Spurs have also been following the progress of his midfield teammate, 23-year-old (24 in November) Christopher Nkunku.

The French U-21 attacking midfielder left PSG for €13m (£11.29m) to seek extra playing time and has blossomed in the Bundesliga whee his goal participation ratio is 22%.

Leipzig will be having a shake-up this summer and Nkunku is reportedly not happy there so is believed to be one of the players the German side are willing to release.

Under contract until 2024 the reported transfer fee asked for is €40m (£34.73m).

Sticking with attacking midfielders, a player we have tracked for a few years is available on a free transfer this summer, 27-year-old (28 in September) Julian Draxler, currently at PSG.

PSG Sporting Director Leonardo was not as clear about keeping Draxler as he was about other seasoned players, merely saying;

"We will also talk to Draxler. He is an important player for us and we will see what ultimately comes out of the situation.”

Another attacking midfielder we have been linked with previously is coming on the market this summer and that is 24-year-old (25 in May) Julian Brandt.

The 35-cap German international will be put up for sale by Borussia Dortmund this summer recording a goal participation ration of only 5% when starting 56% of Bundesliga games.

His market value has dropped from a €50m (£43.41 million) high in June to December 2019 to a current €22.5m (£19.53 million).

He is still at an age while his abilities can be rekindled, if he wants to dedicate himself to rekindling them.

As ever, mentality is the key.

Incidentally, a player we tried to sign on a free, Thomas Meunier, looks to have made the wrong choice going to Borussia Dortmund as he can only make their substitutes bench at the moment.

Current market value, €12m (£10.42 million).

Should we sell Aurier to PSG (another homegrown player for them) and buy Meunier?

Now before you go, it helps if you click a link so if you haven't read the last article, The Players Are To Blame, Not Mourinho, then click the link and have a read.

COYS

Hey, where are you going, click a link first, Google likes that.