Bournemouth threaten to derail Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of this Dutch ace who could replace Cristian Romero this summer

Tottenham Hotspur face competition from Bournemouth for Koni de Winter

Tottenham face a summer that could see key changes in their defence. The possible departure of Cristian Romero to Atlético Madrid forces the Spurs to consider immediate alternatives so as not to leave a line that have suffered ups and downs in the last campaign unprotected. Thomas Frank’s team knows that the Premier League demands quality and depth, which is why they are looking for young players with room for improvement and a hunger for prominence.

The Italian market, always fertile in centre-backs, is once again on the London club’s radar. Koni De Winter, currently a defender for Genoa, has emerged as one of the most attractive candidates to fill a gap that, if Romero’s departure is confirmed, would leave a void in leadership and strength. The sporting management, aware of the situation, is preparing an offensive in the hope of getting ahead of other interested clubs. Tottenham have been tracking him for a while now.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Spurs and Bournemouth are closely keeping tabs on the Belgian defender’s development and situation. The Italian outlet has revealed that the player is currently the most valuable player of the Serie A club and has been performing consistently for the club since he arrived on loan in 2023. De Winter’s performance in the Serie A has attracted the attention of big clubs like Inter Milan, who have also been looking to sign him, along with Tottenham.

The price is not low: Genoa are asking for €25 million, a considerable sum considering that they paid Juventus €8 million just a month ago to acquire him outright. Bournemouth needs to fill important gaps in its defence, while Tottenham are carefully considering every move. The final decision will depend on Romero’s departure and the ability of both teams to meet the demands of the Genoa club.

We think Tottenham should weigh up every step carefully. If Romero ends up leaving, they would lose a centre-back with character, authority and experience in big games. Replacing him with a 23-year-old with only one good season in Serie A is a considerable risk. Should De Winter be the priority? We are not so sure. Spurs need internal competition, and perhaps another player with more international experience would give them more security. However, if we talk about price, €25 million for a centre-back who shows promise and has demonstrated composure in a tactical league like Italy’s can be justified, as long as it is understood as a long-term investment.

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De Winter offers versatility, has good ball control, and his margin for improvement fits in with Frank’s idea of brave defenders who are capable of holding the line high. Compared to other defenders of his generation, he does not look out of place, although he cannot be said to be an established talent either. The success of the possible signing will depend on his adaptation to the speed and physical demands of the Premier League.

The Belgian’s cool head may help, but Tottenham must protect themselves with alternatives. It is not just a matter of filling a gap, but of building a reliable and deep defence. Our impression is that, if the conditions are right and Genoa do not dig in their heels, the transfer has a chance of going through. However, the club must be clear that his development will not be immediate and that he will need the support of a leader at the back while he gains confidence.