Tottenham News Scout: Is Fikayo Tomori worth it as Tottenham keep tabs on defender?
With the summer transfer window fast approaching, as expected, the list of centre-backs targeted by Tottenham is starting to grow, with Fikayo Tomori being the latest to be linked to N17.
It’s been a strange old season for Tomori; being arguably the best centre-back in an albeit struggling AC Milan side, being omitted – somewhat strangely, from Gareth Southgate’s Qatar World Cup squad, and being just two games away from a Champions League final despite struggling domestically.
In what’s set up to be a historic, almost romantic Champions League semi-final, only local rivals Inter Milan stand between the Rossoneri and a European final, with Tomori shining as AC Milan continue to defy expectations.
The now 25-year-old left Chelsea back in the summer of 2021, joining Milan for £25m having spent the previous six months on loan at the Italian giants where he impressed.
Since leaving the Premier League, and in truth even beforehand, Tomori was one of the starlets of Chelsea’s infamously academy come loanee convert belt, and in truth, it was a shock the Blues let him at all, so it’s hardly a surprise that Tottenham are keen to bring him back to England.
Milan’s semi-final victory over Napoli was in small part down to their defensive solidarity, with the Mail Online now touting Tomori for a move to Tottenham, but noting it may take a “huge” fee to lure him away from the San Siro (Mail Online).
Spurs fans were unfortunately treated to a glimpse of just how impactful Tomori can be, as despite missing the first leg of the pair Champions League last 16 tie through suspension, the Englishman returned in the second leg where Spurs were held to a painful goalless draw.
Tomori, who was rated as SofaScore’s top performer on the night alongside goal Mike Maignan, put in a stellar performance, making three tackles, two clearances, and doing the often-impossible job of keeping talisman Harry Kane quiet, with the forward failing to have a shot on target until the dying minutes (SofaScore).
Moreover, the Englishman has performed well outside European competition, and boasts a strong range of passing – something Spurs are lacking in their current defensive cohort, and also averages 2.28 tackles per 90, a rate that leaves him amongst Europe’s elite for said metric (FB Ref).
Whilst on paper a move for the defender seems like a no-brainer, for Tottenham, the current, ever-growing dark cloud of being managerless could certainly impact their ability to pull off such a move, as for a player like Tomori who will likely have several suitors, there may well be more attractive options than a managerless Spurs.
That being said, if Daniel Levy is to learn from past mistakes, Tottenham’s new manager will be in place long before the summer transfer window opens, but then any move may be dictated by the fee placed on Tomori by Milan.
The defender is currently valued at around £40m, but given Milan paid £25m for his services just two seasons ago, they would likely demand a far higher fee for a player who was a key part of last season’s Scudetto victory and again in this seasons Champions League run (Transfermarkt).
As mentioned by the Mail Online, if Milan were to let Tomori go, Spurs would likely face stiff competition, most notably in the form of Premier League rivals Manchester United.
And yes, whilst traditionally United may have been favoured to land the Englishman, the current iteration of Spurs could hold one distinct advantage over the Red Devils.
Under the management of Eric ten Haag, United has become a well-oiled machine, with an innately successful centre-back pairing of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez – that is, of course, when the duo are fit.
Compared to Spurs, who are crying out for a defender in Tomori’s mould, game time at Old Trafford is hardly guaranteed, and for a 25-year-old in his prime, this would undoubtedly rank highly in the Englishman’s priority list when choosing his next club.
If Daniel Levy is willing to splash the cash, and make no mistake, with Tomori’s contract running until 2027 he would have to if Spurs were to land the Englishman (Transfermarkt), the move does in theory make sense for all parties, as it would allow Tomori to return to the Premier League as one of the world’s most astute defenders.
Certainly, and in reality almost regardless of the fee, a move for Tomori makes perfect sense for Tottenham, so fans will be hoping Levy is uncharacteristically forthcoming and gets a deal done.