da dobrowin： Tottenham Hotspur are showing an interest in signing West Ham United centre-back Issa Diop, as reported by Sky Sports.
What’s the story?
da stake casino： Spurs are looking to follow up Toby Alderweireld’s contract renewal by signing the Frenchman during the January transfer window.
They would need to pay a sizeable fee to their London rivals if they are to secure his signature though, as he is deemed to not be for sale and has been given a price tag of £50m or more.
That stance comes despite the Frenchman having not started any of the Hammers’ four most recent matches, with the first of those, against Chelsea, being due to suspension.
Longtime admirer
This could be a subtle indication of Jose Mourinho’s influence at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as he has openly shown his admiration towards Diop in the past.
Following a 3-1 loss against West Ham while managing Manchester United, The Evening Standard quoted what he said of the defender to BT Sport: “[He had a] fantastic match. Congratulations to the scout that found a 21-year-old kid Diop – a monster who dominated in the duels.”
If Mourinho is able to have a say in the transfers that Spurs make during his tenure, it would be a display of just how respected and valued he is by Daniel Levy.
That is because this type of control is not something that was afforded to Mauricio Pochettino during his time in the hot seat.
During the summer, the Argentinian made this clear, being quoted by talkSPORT as saying: “I am not in charge and I know nothing about the situation of my players. I am only coaching them and trying to get the best from them.
“Sell, buy players, sign contract, not sign contract – I think it is not in my hands, it’s in the club’s hands and Daniel Levy.
“The club need to change my title and description. Of course I am the boss deciding the strategic play, but in another area I don’t know. Today, I feel like I am the coach.”
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When those comments are kept in mind, alongside the price that would be required to bring Diop in, if Mourinho has had a say in the move it is a definite sign of his influence at Spurs.
In other news, it has been suggested that Harry Kane may have been overtaken by one man as Spurs’ most important player.