Tottenham can seal ideal last-gasp Joao Gomes transfer after £30m update in January – BBC pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former Scotland right-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Wolves star Joao Gomes would offer the perfect solution to Ange Postecoglou’s recent problems at Tottenham having been linked with a move to North London, according to Alan Hutton.
Reports emerged from Brazil that Spurs are interested in signing the Wolves midfielder this month as Ange Postecoglou looks to add to his midfield options at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium [FLAWeb, 11 January].
Wolves view the Brazilian as an essential member of Gary O’Neil’s squad at Molineux and would be reluctant to sell him this month with FLA’s report stating they would not accept an offer below £30million (€35million).
With several players currently away at the African Cup of Nations, Hutton believes that Gomes would be a good short-term option for Spurs, but isn’t convinced that he would be worth the fee required in the long term.
“If you look at it with Bissouma away, Sarr away and I think Bentancur is an outstanding footballer, but Hojberg and Skipp, I don’t think they’re the go-to guys,” Hutton told Tottenham News.
“So of course, if they can get a deal done for somebody to come in and help sort out that situation at this moment in time, it would obviously be ideal for Tottenham.
“Look it’s a lot of money, but he’s obviously a good footballer. They’ve got issues within that centre of midfield at this moment in time, but would he be a regular starter moving forward?
“That would be up to him if he signed. Can he go and show the manager that he can do that job? Him coming in would add something to that squad, but again we need to wait and see, it’s a lot of money.”
Gomes has made 17 appearances for Wolves in the Premier League this season, becoming a regular fixture in O’Neil’s midfield since having made the switch from Flamengo in last year’s January transfer window.
He hasn’t managed to get too involved at the top end of the pitch, scoring only once in 31 appearances for Wolves in all competitions and is currently facing an extended spell on the sidelines having been shown a straight red in the FA Cup.
Whether or not Tottenham bite the bullet and pay the huge fee required to secure his services remains to be seen, but is clear that Postecoglou needs a new midfielder through the door before the end of January.
In other Tottenham news, Hutton believes it will take a “huge fee” from Real Madrid to sign Cristian Romero
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