The North Londoners are expected to be dipping into the market with an aim to add some quality depth into the full-back role, with only Djed Spence being a reasonable option for the backup role in both right and left-back positions, and the Lilywhites have been looking at a possible move for 26-year-old Romanian full-back Andrei Ratiu given his exceptional performances in the Spanish top tier.

Ange Postecoglou likes his full-backs to contribute offensively while being potent at getting back and defending when the need to do so arises, and Rayo Vallecano defender has contributed to four goals in all competitions in the ongoing season while showcasing his offensive capabilities besides his defensive duties. And Rațiu has garnered high reputations across Europe, which has contributed to interest from multiple clubs, including Tottenham, who are keen on securing his signature. He has a €25 million release clause in his contract at Estadio de Vallecas, which shouldn’t be a big financial flex for Spurs.

Ratiu is focused on task at hand

While the Lilywhites pursue his signatures, the player is focused on his current club and ensuring that he helps Vallecano to safety, and he will think about potential suitors and offers only when the summer window comes around. He also spoke about his love for La Liga and continued to play in the Spanish top tier. He said via ABC (h/t SportWitness):

“Honestly, I am very focused on Rayo and the national team. We have the objective of staying up, which is not yet a reality. Look at what happened to Las Palmas last year. For me, €25m is a lot of money… First, we will have to see if there are offers, but I have always liked La Liga, and I want to continue playing here.”

At the moment, Rayo Vallecano is far from relegation; they are eighth on the table with an aggregate of 36 points from 27 games, so that looks like it is done.

Tottenham could do with someone like Ratiu

To start with, Postecoglou demands a few particular things from his full-backs, and the Australian head coach demands dynamic and attack-minded full-backs who can overlap wingers and also contribute in the build-up phase, and Ratiu’s profile aligns perfectly with it. In a sense, his attacking mindset does mirror the role that Pedro Porro plays in the current system at N17, but then what comes as a highlight is his work rate, which does go eye to eye with the former Celtic coach’s system and the defensive responsibilities that come in an all-out attack nature of football, and that replicates for the 26-year-old with his 2.03 tackles and 1.12 interceptions per 90.

Moreover, at 26, he is a player approaching his peak and could be a low-risk signing. Unlike younger players (that Levy has been looking to bring to N17), he will come more ready to compete for a starting place, and then his profile of having that capacity to play a full-back/wing-back role makes him a highly coveted presence in Europe, and even if he doesn’t go on to become a long-term starter at Tottenham, his market value could end up inflating for his presence at Hotspur Way, which makes it more of a low-risk, high-reward investment for Levy.

And when you compare him to alternatives like Jeremie Frimpong, he will come for a cheaper fee, which is more of a value-for-money option that would allow the North Londoners to also focus on bringing in other players and reinforcing other positions.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

• TTLB Opinion: Is Postecoglou the reason behind Maddison’s underwhelming season at Tottenham?
• TTLB Opinion: Tottenham target Branthwaite and Guehi – but who makes more sense?
• TTLB Opinion: USNMT ace leaving Tottenham talks to his father, but where does he fit at N17 under Ange Postecoglou?

Do you think Tottenham should bring in Andrei Ratiu? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.