Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou to add Hiroki Ito to his defensive line
German club Stuttgart have received interest from English club Tottenham for their Asian player Hiroki Ito. The Japanese international has been a permanent starter for the club since 2021.
Spurs intend to sign an Asian player to check whether any other Asian player can shine like their captain, SonHeung-min, in the club. Son is the one and only Asian player in N17 who is considered the engine of the team by all means.
Japanese striker Ito has proved that he is a strong contender to play in Europe in his loan spell with Stuttgart, which resulted in the club offering him a permanent deal. Ito has a permanent deal until 2027 with Stuttgart. According to Sport Bild, Tottenham are keeping tabs on the Japanese player as they weigh up whether to make a summer move.
The Asian player has also featured in 97 competitive appearances during his time with the German club. Ito also played 29 league matches in the recent campaign with Stuttgart, in which they pushed consecutively eleven-time Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich to the third position by finishing second in the league.
Stuttgart was the second club to concede the fewest goals in the campaign, the club conceded just 39 goals in 34 games. Ito’s performance in the backline also plays a pivotal role in the stats.
Spurs defensive options are reduced after the departure of Eric Dier, Japhet Tanganga and Ryan Sessegnon. The existing defensive player, Emerson Royal, has also linked with Italian club AC Milan for a move. So Ange Postecoglou should make the necessary decisions regarding the players to be signed backline.
If Spurs want to take the Japanese star to North London, they have to pay €30m as a release clause. The release clause is not a big deal in the signing of Ito; Lillywhites has to convince him to leave a club that is set to play in the Champions League next season.
More Tottenham news
- Spurs favourite rejects opportunity to link up with ex-Tottenham boss at new club
- Pundits insists this defender can break the Romero-Van de Ven partnership next season
- Spurs set to miss out on defensive target as PL rivals ‘very confident’
If he joins Spurs, the defender can only play in the Europa League as the club failed to secure the top-four spot in the league. The Aussie coach also believes Ito can contribute more to Spurs teammates, the 25-year-old’s ability to play in different positions at the backline has increased his chance of being signed by the North Londoners.
