Romano says Tottenham target is set to sign for Marseille ‘next week’

Fabrizio Romano: Tottenham Hotspur target Ruslan Malinovskyi set for Marseille transfer

In what comes as a blow for Tottenham Hotspur, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Atalanta star Ruslan Malinovskyi is set to seal his move to Olympique de Marseille ‘next week’.

Recently, Italian outlet Corriere della Sera (h/t CBS Sports) claimed Spurs submitted a loan proposal for the 29-year-old Ukraine international. However, that seems to have not worked.

Marseille are set to seal a transfer for around 12million Euros and a deal is set to be signed. Malinovskyi is in the final six months of his contract at the Gewiss Stadium (Transfermarkt), which explains the modest price tag.

Romano tweeted:

“Olympique Marseille will pay around €12m fee with add-ons to Atalanta for Ruslan Malinovskyi deal, it’s gonna be a permanent move. Deal almost done, to be signed next week between clubs — Malinovskyi has agreed a long term deal with OM.”

The former Shakhtar Donetsk star is a threat in front of goal but has recorded just one goal and two assists in 15 league games this term for Atalanta. His versatility would have solved a big headache for us.

Malinovskyi can double as a forward, a second striker and play as a central attacking midfielder. We lack such a profile, and the price that Marseille are supposedly paying isn’t a figure one would think is out of our reach.

Perhaps the French outfit pose a better chance at first-team football. It’s true that while he would have strengthened our team to a great extent, he would have struggled to displace Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Richarlison, and Dejan Kulusevski.

Marseille, meanwhile, have Dimitri Payet in his mid 30s while Amine Harit and Alexis Sanchez are in the final six months of their respective contracts at OM (Transfermarkt).

However, he would have been an interesting option if manager Antonio Conte was to ever play a formation which required a natural No. 10. This seems like a transfer that is now out of our grasp.

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We must keep searching the market for other suitable targets, although defence looks like a position that needs urgent strengthening right now.