Tottenham Hotspur have been told that they will have to spend big if they want to sign one emerging Serie A star in January.
Tottenham eyeing 20-year-old defender

While it has been widely reported over recent weeks that Ange Postecoglou wants to bolster his defence in January, there is still confusion on what position the Spurs boss wishes to strengthen.

GiveMeSport reported on Sunday that the Lilywhites are still deciding whether they want to sign a versatile centre-back or a left-back to serve as cover for Destiny Udogie.

The report said that if Spurs decide to do the latter, Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu is the name at the top of their wishlist.

This was far from the only report linking Patrick Dorgu with a move to Spurs, with various Italian outlets suggesting over the last month that Tottenham are in pole position to secure the left-back (Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness).

Patrick Dorgu will not come cheap

Sky Italy journalist Francesco Modugno has now also named Tottenham as a contender for the Lecce man’s signature but he insisted that Postecoglou‘s side would face competition from the likes of Chelsea and Napoli for the player.

The reporter further asserted that it would take an offer of around €40-€50m (£33.4m-£41.7m) to price the 20-year-old away from Stadio Via del Mare.
When asked about Napoli’s rumoured interest in Dorgu, Modugno said (via Calcio Napoli 24): “Can Dorgu really go to Napoli? I know one thing: in Lecce, they are sure to make the highest capital gain ever in the Corvino era. The boy could have gone to Tottenham and Chelsea last year, and Lecce could sell him for €40-50m. Patrick is predestined.

“In a recent interview I did with the former Salento coach Gotti, the coach confided in me that ‘God wanted him to play football’. He has infinite technical and physical means. In short, whoever wants him must pay at least a lot of money.

“There is no doubt that Napoli likes him, but he interests all the ‘big’ clubs, especially the English ones, who are looking carefully at a player like him: a very young player, good in the trident and who can also operate further back, even capable of scoring.”

Tottenham are unlikely to pay £40m for Dorgu

Dorgu will be signed as a backup for Udogie, which is why it would be surprising if Tottenham spent big on the Denmark international.

Having said that, the Italian has certainly not set the world alight this season and Postecoglou might feel that the former Udinese man needs to have someone breathing down his neck to bring the best out of him.

National media rave about unwanted Tottenham attacker – ‘What a player’

Tottenham man grabs opportunity with both hands

Bryan Gil has shone since his loan switch to Girona in the summer and the winger was unlucky to not represent Spain last month, being forced to pull out of the squad through injury after receiving a call-up.
However, the 23-year-old made his opportunity count on this occasion, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute in the Nations League clash against Switzerland and making a decisive contribution.

The Tottenham man found the back of the net just eight minutes after coming on, winning the ball back inside the opposition box after his pass was intercepted and producing a fine finish into the far corner.

Bryan Gil gets rave reviews from Spanish media

The game was poised at 1-1 when Gil came onto the pitch and he was one of the most lively players on the park in the final 30 minutes as La Roja emerged 3-2 winners in dramatic fashion.

A number of popular Spanish outlets were left mightily impressed with the Tottenham man’s displays and have sung his praises after the win.

Sport gave Gil a 7/10 and wrote: “He scored a very good goal and gave a more attacking presence to the team. Good minutes.”

Marca were particularly complimentary of the winger, giving him a rating of 8.5/10 and writing: “He came on to the pitch in the 60th minute, Bryan Gil arrived, more lively than anyone else, to steal the ball between Monteiro and Freuler, face Comerty and put it in under the goalposts. Bryan’s first goal for Spain and the first, also, for a Girona player. He didn’t stop recovering the ball from the moment he came onto the pitch. What a player.”

Meanwhile, Diario AS wrote about Gil: “He scored a goal with the skill that only the Cadiz natives of Barbate, Paquirri’s village, have. That left foot of Bryan’s gave life to Spain.”

Will Tottenham come to regret their treatment of Gil?

It is almost certain that Gil will leave Spurs next summer, with a £12.5m release clause reportedly set to become active at the end of the season.

It seems certain that the former Sevilla man will evolve into a top player over the next few years as his talent has never been in doubt.

While one can question if he was suited to Premier League football, Tottenham might come to rue the fact that Gil never really got a consistent run in the team to prove himself.