Tottenham Hotspur are set to battle Newcastle United for the signing of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu
Tottenham Hotspur, under the guidance of Thomas Frank, wants to strengthen its squad in the upcoming winter transfer window with some key signings.
The Lewis Family wants to back Thomas Frank and help Spurs compete in all competitions by pumping £100 million into the club, with the funds specifically allotted for recruitment. The Danish tactician would want to use those funds to secure signings that addresses key areas of his squad. And one such area is the defence.
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are indispensable to Frank’s side but the duo have a patchy injury record. Romero has missed the last two games with an adductor injury and it is not yet known when he will recover fully from it, which does not bode well for a Tottenham side heavily reliant on their defensive solidity and structures under Frank. Kevin Danso has deputised for the injured Argentinean and partnered Van de Ven in central defence, with Ben Davies also ruled out for weeks with a hamstring injury.
It is clear to see the lack of depth in the defensive unit of the north London outfit, one which needs bolstering in the winter window. And it looks like plans are already being put in place to bring in a new defender.
Tottenham to battle Newcastle United for Juventus defender
According to Tutto Juve, Tottenham and Newcastle United are interested in signing Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu.
Pierre Kalulu joined the Turin giants initially on loan from AC Milan in August 2024. They made his stay permanent earlier this year by exercising their €14m purchase option. The Frenchman has operated as a wing-back and in central defence this season, playing every minute in the league and Champions League.
His displays under manager Igor Tudor have not gone unnoticed, with several clubs in the Premier League and other European leagues have expressed interest in the player. The aforementioned report adds offers exceeding €30 million could prompt Juventus to contemplate a potential sale in the January transfer window. The 25-year-old’s sale can help Juventus fetch a big fee which would then be used to reinforce other priority areas of the pitch.
Kalulu has been playing at a high level since he moved from Lyon to AC Milan back in 2020. In five years in Italy, the one-cap France international has matured and grown as a defender. A move to the Premier League would represent an entirely new challenge, if Juventus decide to sell him in 2026.
Kalulu would be a valuable addition to Tottenham’s defensive ranks
Spurs’ defensive unit has already been stretched following recent injuries to Romero, Udogie and Davies, and with Radu Dragusin yet to return from an ACL injury and young Kota Takai also not in the frame, Frank must make it one of his priorities to add a defender. A talented, versatile and reliable defender like Kalulu would fit the bill perfectly.
The Juventus man has the qualities to thrive in the hustle and bustle of Premier League football. The ex-AC Milan star, with experience in a flat back four or three-man defence system, would fit perfectly into Frank’s tactical setup. He’d add a lot of value to the squad with his versatility and experience, whilst covering for both Romero and Pedro Porro in central defence and right-back, respectively.
That said, Spurs must do everything possible to get Kalulu’s signature when the transfer window reopens in the New Year.
