Ange Postecoglou’s playing style is highly based on the intensity of the midfield, where vertical passes are played between the lines to bifurcate the opponents press and catch them by surprise with precision and speed, and this is where the Australian head coach has struggled to make numbers, or shall I say quality numbers, in the roster, especially given how Daniel Levy didn’t dip into the market following the significant departures of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Gio Lo Celso in the previous summer window.

While many Lilywhites supporters thought whether the chiefs at Hotspur Way would right their wrongs from the summer window and sign a midfielder in the January transfer window, and while that was fairly predicted by a fair share of supporters—it didn’t happen, and we walk into another summer with similar midfield needs as the last one.

Barrios is a £62 million gamble that can bring midfield mastery

Looking at the needs at hand, the North Londoners have been pursuing a move for Atletico Madrid’s highly regarded midfielder Pablo Barrios, who has been putting in some exemplary performances that have apparently caught the attention of those at Hotspur Way, with the Lilywhites looking to invest £62 million to secure the Spaniard’s services, per Fichajes.

For Levy and Tottenham to put in such significant financial investment for any of their players shows the belief that the decision-makers would have in Barrios’ ability. Moreover, this also is in the similar lines of the North Londoners recently adapted strategy to build a young and dynamic squad.

Replace Bissouma?

Putting the current roster into perspective, Tottenham do have Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma at the base of their midfield, but they do not possess that technical ability to operate in a highly progressive passing system where they prioritise defensive awareness. And in Barrios, Spurs can get exactly that, and he can possibly go on to replace Bissouma in the squad given the Malian’s inconsistencies.

It is to be seen if the chiefs at Red and White shade of Madrid are willing to sit on the table to consider a possible move for the 21-year-old given how he has shown qualities of being a high potential talent. And then comes if the player is willing to move.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

• £50million price tag quoted for forward that Tottenham desperately need
• “Everyone’s got a lifespan” – Paul Robinson urges Tottenham to let star run down current deal
• Liverpool star could quit Anfield in the summer; Tottenham remain keen

That being said, any move for Barrios will have the club’s midfield set for years to come with the likes of Archie Gray and Lucas Bregvall in support roles for the Spaniard.