Ange Postecoglou looks to secure Lutsharel Geertruida transfer amid new Tottenham update
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will be looking to secure the signing of Feyenoord star Lutsharel Geertruida due to his versatility this summer, according to Alan Hutton.
Several Premier League clubs are understood to be in the race for the defender who is valued at £25million this summer, with reports suggesting Spurs are the frontrunners ahead of Liverpool to secure his signature [The Mirror, 23 June].
Postecoglou is keen to further put his stamp on the squad in North London this window following an underwhelming end to the previous Premier League season that saw the Lilywhites miss out on a place in the Champions League.
Although Hutton believes Tottenham’s defence is already very strong under the Australian, he admits that Geertrudia’s versatility would allow Spurs to cope with the injuries that derailed their last campaign.
“I think it would help if I’m honest,” Hutton exclusively told Tottenham News.
“I feel at this moment in time when their back four or back five is fully fit, they’re very strong as long as they can keep hold of everybody.
“The problem was when the likes of Destiny Udogie or Micky van de Ven picked up an injury or Cristian Romero was out suspended, it was like who then comes in?
“I don’t think they quite had that strength in depth that you need to go and challenge so to bring in a player that is very versatile and can play two or three positions very well I think always helps you.
“It gives you that option to move certain people around in certain games and that’s obviously the way that Ange is looking to recruit at this moment in time.”
Are Tottenham close to signing any new players in the summer transfer window?
Spurs have already added some more depth to their backline in a way with the signing of Archie Gray who is a midfielder by trade but spent much of last season deployed at right-back as Leeds United narrowly missed out on promotion.
However, Geertruida’s adaptability is a level above Gray’s as he has consistently played as both a right-back and a centre-back during his time in the Netherlands, while also filling in as a defensive midfielder.
With the Europa League now back on the agenda next term, Tottenham need players who are capable of not only playing two games in a week regularly but also players who can cover if and when their teammates pick up knocks.
Geertruida is that exact sort of player and, at 23 years old, he fits into Spurs’ recruitment plan of buying younger players before they have managed to reach the peak of their powers.
Hopefully, the Lilywhites will have the financial muscle to beat their Premier League rivals to the defender’s signature as this seems like it would be a shrewd summer addition to Postecoglou’s side.
In other Tottenham news, Levy is understood to be willing to allow Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to leave North London for £17million this summer
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