Tottenham among clubs interested in Benfica midfielder on Liverpool radar

Benfica star Orkun Kokcu is wanted by Tottenham Hotspur this summer

Thomas Frank has been appointed as the man to take Tottenham Hotspur forward.

The Danish tactician is already under immense pressure at White Hart Lane as he replaces the man who ended the club’s 17-year wait for a major trophy last season. But, Daniel Levy must ensure the 51-year-old is backed sufficiently in the transfer window.

So far, Thomas Frank is yet to be backed, and with pre-season looming large, it is fair to say that the fans are getting worried about Spurs losing out on key targets. There is an urgent need to address the problems in the final third of the pitch.

James Maddison is the only natural attacking midfielder in the squad, but his performances have not been consistent over two seasons in North London. Former boss Ange Postecoglou transformed Dejan Kulusevski from a winger to a central midfielder last season, and the move paid rich dividends as the Sweden international was highly productive in the first part of the campaign.

However, with both Maddison and Kulusevski out injured and could miss out the opening games of the new season, there is a need to bring in someone with a creative brain who can unlock rigid defences. According to an exclusive report from CaughtOffside, Tottenham are among some European clubs interested in signing Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu. Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan are the other clubs keeping tabs on the 24-year-old, who is valued around €40m by Benfica.

Liverpool do have an advantage in the race as he trained under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, and the duo are keen on a reunion in Merseyside if possible this summer. Orkun Kokcu moved to Benfica in 2023 and has been a consistent performer in the middle of the park, impressing with his ball-carrying, engine, passing, vision and goalscoring ability. The Turkish international enjoyed a productive 2024/25 campaign, chipping in with 12 goals and 11 assists in 55 appearances.

A player of Kokcu’s quality and potential could do wonders for a club like Tottenham. He can operate anywhere across the midfield, forming a strong potential understanding with creative minds like Maddison and Kulusevski. Given Maddison has had his injury problems in recent years, Frank could also manage the Englishman’s fitness by resting him in regular intervals and using Kokcu in the No.10 role.

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• Update: Tottenham chairman holds direct talks for ‘world-class’ London star; Spurs eager to land him quickly

For around €40m, the Netherlands-born Turkish international could turn out to be a bargain acquisition for Spurs. But as Kokcu would prefer a move to Liverpool, Daniel Levy and Johan Lange will need to do some convincing to lure him to North London.