Transfer News: AC Milan interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga

According to Tuttosport via Football Italia (h/t Football.London), AC Milan are keen on signing Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga. 

Japhet Tanganga arrived at Spurs in 2020. However, the move hasn’t worked well for the North London side as the English starlet is yet to really make a mark on the first team so far.

The 22-year-old couldn’t capitalize on the chances he was given earlier this season and fell down the pecking order under Nuno Espírito Santo. After assessing the centre-back’s performance in a few matches, Antonio Conte has also largely kept him on the bench in recent times. 

Japhet Tanganga has only played 16 matches this season, with him playing in just 1 of their last four league games. His lack of game time at Tottenham is beginning to look like a significant concern, and it could push him towards an exit. 

What next for Tanganga?

However, AC Milan are interested in putting him out of his misery. The Rossoneri are looking to attract reinforcements to cover up for Simon Kjaer’s injury. The Italian outfit has shortlisted Tanganga and are interested in making a move for the youngster. 

Even though Tottenham have valued Tanganga at €25m (£21m), it seems the Spurs board are unwilling to give the centre-back up on a permanent deal and are favouring a loan move instead.  

Tottenham currently have a lack of depth in the centre-back positions. Antonio Conte has favoured starting three centre-backs in his set-up at N17. However, the injury to Cristian Romero pushed the Italian manager to use full-back Ben Davies as a third centre-back.

Japhet Tanganga has been fit to start for the whole time after Conte took over. However, the former Inter Milan manager’s intentions to keep him sidelined even during a time of need suggests that the Italian doesn’t have total trust in the English ace. 

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Japhet Tanganga is only 22-years of age and has a long career ahead of him. Looking at the long-term approach, Spurs can regret selling him on the cheap. A loan move looks ideal at this moment. If the defender manages to rejuvenate his form, Tottenham could then cash in on the hype.

Or better yet, we would have a quality defender in our ranks for the future. After Toby Alderweireld’s departure in the summer and Romero’s deal being an initial loan deal, we could do with a young player like Tanganga coming through the ranks and making the centre-back position his own.