Spurs move for £34m ‘machine’

About a year and a half has passed since then Tottenham Hotspur appointed Ange Postecoglou as their head coach.

Since then, the Australian has overseen three transfer windows – including this one – and it’s fair to say that while he’s had a few misses, he’s also had some big hits.

The likes of Micky van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario, Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Brennan Johnson and James Maddison have made a significant impact on the club since arriving, as well as a club record signing Dominik Solanke.

The Englishman has been one of the team’s better players this season, but he is now set to miss a “a few weeks” due to injury, and when he returns he could face new competition, as recent reports have touted an even more dangerous number nine with a move to N17.

Tottenham target Champions League striker

According to a a recent report by journalist Graeme BaileyTottenham are one of several top teams interested in Feyenoord star forward Santiago Gimenez.

Along with the Lilywhites, Bailey claims West Ham United have launched their first moves, having made contact with the Dutch side over a potential deal for the free agent this month.

However, the bad news for Spurs and the Irons is that, as things stand, it looks like Italian giants AC Milan will be the ones to secure his services, as they are confident of completing a £34m deal.

That said, until all parties sign on the dotted line, there’s still a chance the North Londoners could snap up a transfer, and given Gimenez’s incredible ability and the price being discussed, that’s what they should do, especially since the Mexico international he could be even more dangerous than Solanke.

How Gimenez compares to Solanka

So, if Spurs were to show their financial muscle this week and manage to get a start in line for Gimenez, then he would be perfect cover for the injured Solanke in the near term.

However, who would end up as Postecoglou’s first choice once the Englishman returns from said injury? Well, based on the last few seasons, we reckon the former Bournemouth star will have a much more challenging time than people might be expecting.

For example, in only 18 performancesa total of 1186 minutes, this season the Mexican goal is a “machine”, as talent hunter Jacek Kulig called himhe scored 15 times and provided three assists, which is an average participation in a goal every game, or every 65.88 minutes.

In contrast, the Lilywhites’ new number nine scored 11 goals and six assists in 29 appearances, a total of 2248 minutes, which is an average of every 1.70 games, or every 132.23 minutes.

Now, there’s obviously something to be said for the quality of the Premier League compared to the quality of the Eredivisie, but the counter to that is how well the two strikers have performed in Europe this season.

For example, in four appearances in the Champions League for Feyenoord, the former star of Cruz Azul scored four goals – including a brace against Bayern Munich – and provided an assist for good measure.

By contrast, the Basingstoke-born poacher has the number of two goals and two assists in six Europa League games, which isn’t bad, but is significantly less impressive than the European record of his potential rival.

Ultimately, Spurs need attacking reinforcements anyway, so with Gimenez clearly available this month, they should do their best to sign him, and then we’ll find out if he really is more dangerous than Solanke, because he seems to be.