Tottenham are set to compete with Newcastle United for the signing of Bundesliga starlet.
Tottenham Hotspur have been arguably the most active side this summer so far, having already snapped up free agents Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi. They have also agreed a deal with Brighton for Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
Spurs are exploring an ambitious swoop for Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali, as Roberto De Zerbi aims to add meat to his midfield unit. The Italian boss has identified Tonali as the primary target to elevate the quality of his midfield, which was outsmarted and outworked by the opponents on several occasions this past season.
Alongside midfield, Tottenham’s priority now may well be to strengthen on the left flank. Well, it looks like they are set to do just that, as the surprise news broke on Tuesday evening that the North Londoners have submitted an offer for Lyon winger Malick Fofana. At the same time, they are now planning to go head-to-head with a Premier League rival for the signing of a Bundesliga talent.
Tottenham set to compete with Newcastle United for FC Koln starlet
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Tottenham are set to go head-to-head with Newcastle United for the signing of FC Koln winger Said El Mala. The Lilywhites have made contact with the representatives of the player over the past week, adding him to their shortlist of wingers.
Said El Mala, who plays a bit like Kingsley Coman, has attracted interest from Brentford and Nottingham Forest as well, following an excellent campaign with FC Koln, where he registered 13 goals and five assists in 34 Bundesliga outings. The Germany Under-21 international has impressed with his pace, agility, dynamism and directness, showing he has the potential to cut the mustard in the Premier League.
The report adds that there remains positivity that a deal for El Mala can be struck in the coming weeks. The teenage attacker is rated in the €40m bracket, with the player more than open to moving to England. However, El Mala’s parents want interested parties to also sign his younger brother Malek from FC Koln as well. Spurs are ready to negotiate a dual deal with the Bundesliga outfit, unlike other suitors.
The 19-year-old can play across the frontline, and such versatility would be welcomed with open arms by Roberto De Zerbi. The Spurs boss can use El Mala in different attacking positions to maximise his output, although if he makes the move to White Hart Lane, he’d likely operate on the left flank.
As Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are out with an ACL injury, the German youth international could walk straight into De Zerbi’s XI next season should Tottenham agree a fee with FC Koln.
