Tottenham on trail of diamond defender seen as Aurier upgrade
Tottenham Hotspur have expressed an interest in signing Sassuolo defender Mert Muldur, according to a report in Austria.
The 22-year-old right-back, who was born in Vienna, is a Turkey international, who is attracting interest from a number of European clubs. One of those clubs are Spurs, who are looking for an upgrade on Serge Aurier and Matt Doherty. In fact Aurier may well depart this summer with PSG said to be interested in re-signing the defender.
According to Kronen Zeitung (via Spox) Spurs have picked out Muldur as a player who could develop into a top-class defender.
The right-back is contracted to the Italian club until 2024, and as his agent points out, is steadily learning his trade in Serie A.
“There are always talks with top clubs in Italy and England,” said Muldur’s advisor Max Hagmayr to the Kronen Zeitung. “However, it always failed because of the transfer fee. A transfer is currently not an issue.
“He feels very much at home here. There is a very good defensive development with him. Nowhere else can you improve defensively and tactically as in Italy.”
The implication of Hamayr’s “not an issue” when talking about a transfer is unclear. Sassuolo’s stance is also an unknown.
They bought him in the summer of 2019 from SK Rapid for €4.7m and would be looking to most probably quadruple their money on the player.
Muldur, who has made 28 Serie A appearances this season, has been named in Turkey’s provisional 30-man squad for next month’s Euros.
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Lingard interest
Meanwhile, Tottenham have been named as suitors for West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard.
The Athletic have reported that West Ham feel their only chance of landing Lingard is via a part-exchange deal. The fact they now look likely to miss out on a place in Europe has hit their hopes of signing the Manchester United midfielder.
There is other interest in Lingard though. And 90min say “Tottenham are one club who are watching him closely”.
However, again any prospective deal could depend on whether Spurs can finish in the European places.
Spurs may have some cash to splash if they sell Harry Kane. Sky Sports have reported that Kane has told Daniel Levy he wants to leave this summer after almost quitting the club last summer.
Tottenham are considering replacements for Kane his summer and while Levy is understood to be loathed to selling to a Premier League rival, Lingard as a makeweight may swing a deal.
READ MORE: Tottenham respond after report claims devastating Harry Kane news
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