Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined the race for RB Leipzig Midfielder Naby Keita as the club plans for next season’s Champions League.
A host of clubs have been linked with the Bundesliga midfielder who has been performing exceptionally well for newly promoted RB Leipzig. The German club have been a surprise package in the Bundesliga this term and have taken the league by storm.
The 22-year old has scored 7 goals and has registered 8 assists this season and has sparked interest from all of Europe. He has helped Leipzig to reach 2nd place in the league, behind the gigantic Bayern Munich.
He was also hospitalised earlier this month when he collapsed after a game against Wolfsburg, but has since returned to action — scoring two goals in his comeback game at the weekend.
The central midfielder, who is regarded as a complete player, has played as a holding midfielder for RB Leipzig and can also play in an advanced role as well. He has also featured on the wings 6 times this season, and it increasingly looks like he is a really versatile player to have in the squad.
7 goals and 8 assists from 25 appearances only highlight his quality as a player and he would surely add some good quality to the already strong Tottenham midfield.
As Spurs take a crack at Champions League football yet again, Pochettino seems to be planning on some heavy recruitment in the summer to aid Tottenham’s performances next season. With the Northumberland Development Project expected to be completed before the summer of 2018, this might potentially be the final summer window where Tottenham can spend with freedom.
They would be restricted financially once they move to the new stadium as they may have to start clearing the debts incurred because of the stadium move.
Guinea international Keita only signed for Leipzig from Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg last summer. His contract runs until 2020 and hence would come at a reasonable price too.
Our Verdict
It will be interesting to see how strong Tottenham hold their interest up as they are already well stocked in the central midfield department with Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama and the young Harry Winks.
With Eric Dier looking comfortable as a central midfielder with every passing day, it really does raise the question if Tottenham need Naby Keita.
