High-profile journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Spurs have always liked the look of FC Barcelona and Brazil national team winger Raphinha, with London rivals having “always shown interest” in the past too.
On his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Raphinha has always been attractive to several clubs, not only in Europe, when Barcelona signed him from Leeds there was interest from Chelsea and interest from Arsenal. He’s always been a player of interest for Tottenham, they have always appreciated him.
Spurs do have options out on the right with Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski (even if he is better centrally), and Raphinha’s compatriot Richarlison able to play there too.
However, there is no doubt that Raphinha would be an instant upgrade out there. In La Liga so far this season, he has scored five goals, created eight big chances, and created over three chances per game in just seven outings so far, as he forms a lethal attack with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.
Fabrizio Romano confirms Spurs’ stance on winger Raphinha
The 27-year-old would most definitely suit ‘AngeBall’ too. He is a rapid winger, capable of pressing (completes over four ball recoveries per game), and has the quality to match. He gives a 1v1 threat that Spurs massively lack too. He thrived in a Marcelo Bielsa system in the Premier League and no doubt he could so too for Ange.
The winger was linked to Spurs in the summer, and based on what Romano has said, could reignite their interest in the future. Unfortunately for Spurs and potential other suitors – he does seem a lot more valuable to Barcelona than he did before the season started.
Another tick in the box for Raphinha is his versatility. Despite naturally being a right-winger, he has played both as a left-winger and number ten this season, both to a high level, with Yamal having locked down the right-wing spot. Him being left-footed and holding the width sounds very Ange Postecoglu, but he is also capable of doing the same from the right side.
If there is any remote possibility of this happening, Spurs must move heaven and earth to make sure it happens. Should a player of Raphinha’s quality become available, you must take full advantage of it and get that done.
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Tottenham Hotspur have a quick turnaround after their Europa League win over Qarabag with their trip to Manchester United in the Premier League scheduled within just 72 hours after beating the Azerbaijani outfit.
Ange Postecoglou’s men are on a run of three successive victories in all competitions and will look to add a big one at Old Trafford on Sunday, 29th September.
Here is how Tottenham are likely to line up against Manchester United.
Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario is very much Tottenham Hotspur’s first choice goalkeeper and will keep his place between the sticks against United. He has just one clean sheet in the Premier League and will look to add to that against the Red Devils.
Defenders – Micky van de Ven is the only player likely to retain his place in defence from the Europa League backline. Radu Dragusin will make way for Cristian Romero in the centre of defence after the £25m signing’s disastrous outing on Thursday that saw him sent off inside the opening 10 minutes.
Both full backs, Ben Davies and Archie Gray, are also expected to drop out with Destiny Udogie starting on the left and Pedro Porro stationing himself on the right on Tottenham’s back four.
Spurs’ entire midfield set to reshuffle
Midfielders – Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma did a decent job against Qarabag but a set of well-rested players could return to the fore against Manchester United on Sunday. Dejan Kulusevski is set to play as the right midfielder, James Maddison on the left side and Rodrigo Bentancur featuring as the number six.
Forwards – Son Heung-min was subbed off against Qarabag with an apparent niggle but the gravity of his issue does not seem very serious and therefore, the South Korean is likely to start on the left wing against Manchester United. Brennan Johnson is the favourite to start on the right and will look to continue his purple patch having scored three in his last three games.
Dominic Solanke is also performing admirably and having struck his first two goals for Tottenham Hotspur over the last week, he will lead the line hoping to build on his good run of form against Man Utd.
This is how Spurs could look on paper:
