As reported yesterday on here, Tottenham head scout Ian Broomfield was reportedly in attendance in the 2-2 draw between Barcelona and Internacional on Tuesday night to watch Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay.
As we all know, Spurs have long been linked with a move for Internacional’s Leandro Damiao. The Brazilian reportedly caused havoc to the Barca defence all night and managed to get on the scoresheet before missing his penalty that saw the Blaugruna win 4-2 in the eventual shoot-out.
Leandro was again on the score-sheet last night as the Brazilian side, again, drew 2-2 with defending Italian champions AC Milan but this time winning 2-0 on penatlies.
His performances, surely, would not have un-noticed by some the world’s top scouts especially after penetrating the defence of two of football’s giants.
Granted, Afellay’s performance against the Brazilian side would have been a major talking point from Broomfield as he assisted that first goal in the 2-2 draw and hit the post again moments later but what are the chances that he reported back to Redknapp and Levy with glowing reports of the 22-year-old during the Barca – Internacional fixture?
Reports are now beginning to surface that Pep Guardiola requested his scouts keep an eye on Leandro during the draw last night and must have been impressed capping his performance with a typical number nine’s finish.
Spurs hold the cards in any potential transfer due to the commerical link between the two clubs, which worked to full effect in securing the Sandro transfer. However, at the time, Sandro may have been courted by the likes of Real Madrid and AS Roma but none were all to aware of the Brazilian’s abilities until his impact against AC Milan in the Champions League last year.
The same cannot be said of Leandro. His two goals in the Audi Cup in Germany would have done little more than enhance his already growing reputation.
If Spurs really are serious about signing the player, which they should be considering their current quartet of strikers are all up for sale having contributed little last season, then the North London outfit should be making their move sooner rather than later, a concept which Spurs have become famous for in recent transfer windows.
The player may have signed a five-year deal with Internacional only weeks ago but that may have been to hike up the price of the striker. Nonetheless, Spurs will have to move quickly if they are to bolster their striking ranks which is in desperate need of a re-vamp.
