Tottenham Transfer News: Matthias Ginter Bid Reported, Latest Suso Rumours
June 23, 2017
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly lodged an official bid for Borussia Dortmund defender Matthias Ginter.
According to Bild (h/t Matt Farr of Football Insider), the Premier League side have intensified their interest in the versatile player, who is also said to be a target for last season’s Bundesliga surprise package, Hoffenheim.
It’s suggested in the report manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to strengthen his options at the back and provide insurance behind Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.
Ginter has impressed in spells at the Westfalenstadion since joining from SC Freiburg in 2014, doing a decent job in a variety of different roles. However, he has yet to totally nail down a regular position in the Dortmund defence, instead being used to plug gaps.
The Scouted Football Twitter account believes the 23-year-old needs a lot of work to fulfil his potential:
Someone like Pochettino may well be the right man to kickstart Ginter's career, having done a wonderful job with so many young players at the north London club in the past.
There are attributes there to work with. Ginter is intelligent enough to operate in different roles, is composed in his distribution and patient in the way he defends. His familiarity with both a four-man and three-man defence would appeal to Pochettino too.
However, at this point in his career, a move for Ginter must be with a view to getting more minutes in a settled position so he can continue his progression. With Vertonghen, Alderweireld and Eric Dier available for Spurs to call upon, the Germany international would find himself a fair way down the pecking order.
Suso Linked with Spurs
According to Marca (via Blair Newman of Football Whispers, h/t Sky Sports), Tottenham are interested in signing AC Milan winger Suso this summer.
In the report, it's noted Spurs were impressed by Suso's displays during the 2016-17 campaign when he excelled for the San Siro club. Napoli are also noted as potential suitors for the Spain youth international.
The 23-year-old has previous experience of the Premier League having emerged from the Liverpool youth setup. However, he failed to make the grade at Anfield and moved to Milan in 2015; it's taken Suso until the most recent season to really break through.
Here's a reminder of some of the winger's best moments last term:
Indeed, Milan manager Vincenzo Montella was able to kindle something in Suso, as he excelled on the right side of a front three. Per WhoScored.com, he was a major threat with the ball at his feet in Serie A:
Although Milan would surely be keen to keep hold of their major assets in a summer of significant strengthening already, Spurs' interest would make sense.
Pochettino does have a lot of firepower to call upon, but the introduction of a player willing to commit opponents with direct running and dazzling skill would give Tottenham another dangerous edge to their attacking play. Suso has those traits in abundance.
Still, there would be concerns about a deal, most notably in terms of Suso forcing his way into an attacking setup focused around Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen.
At Milan, he has found a position and consistency for the first time in his career and leaving that behind would be a gamble.