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Levy’s mind made up over Tottenham star he wants to cull

Daniel Levy has decided to sell Tottenham central defender Davinson Sanchez this summer, according to a report.

The Spurs chairman has already made his mind up on the Colombian and regardless who he appoints to replace Jose Mourinho, Sanchez will be leaving. Football Insider report that Spurs will listen to offers for the defender this summer after four years with the club. The 24-year-old arrived in 2017 for a fee of nearly £40m, which at the time was a club-record signing.

However, the defender has fallen out of favour this season and has not played under Ryan Mason. He has made 16 Premier League starts with his last start in April against Newcastle.

Steve Hitchen, who was chief scout when Sanchez was signed in 2017, is leading the team who are identifying his replacement, per the source. 

The club are understood to have a shortlist of names draw up.

Sanchez’s departure will leave just three senior centre-backs at the club – Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier and Joe Rodon.

Sanchez still has three years to run on his contract, but the club are unlikely to regain their investment on the former Ajax man.

It recently emerged that a return to Ajax could be a possibility for Sanchez. The Eredivisie giants are looking to strengthen defensively and could raid Spurs to do so.

They have also been linked with another of their former players, Toby Alderweireld. It was initially thought the Belgian would be easier to acquire but the rumours surrounding Sanchez have not faded away.

According to De Telegraaf, Ajax want to take the South American on loan. It would be tricky for them to negotiate a permanent transfer due to the finances surrounding a potential deal.

A report in Football.London claims that whoever takes over as new Tottenham manager will be given the green light to bolster the defence.

Tottenham will reportedly sign two centre-backs this summer in a bid to plug a defence that has often proved to be their Achilles heel this season.

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Defensive targets

Spurs have conceded 41 goals in 35 Premier League games, although many of those have come from winning positions. Former boss Jose Mourinho often changed his centre-backing pairing during the second half of the campaign, having initially stuck with Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld.

However, for this to happen at least two central defenders will need to be moved on first. Sanchez looks likely to be one of the players culled.

With regards to players coming in. Spurs are already said to have made contact with Jerome Boateng over a free transfer move from Bayern. Southampton star Jannik Vestergaard and Fulham’s on-loan defender Joachim Andersen are considered cheaper options.

Tottenham’s top target has been Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar. But that looks less likely, given that Champions League will almost certainly elude them.

READ MORE: Neville names attacker he expects Man Utd to sign but rules out Kane deal

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