Tottenham should confirm two deals in the coming hours for Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid and Souza from Santos. But attention from Spurs supporters will soon turn to what comes next after those two are through the door.
One of the players who has been linked, with Tottenham reportedly making a bid, is Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz.
Diaz is currently out at the African Cup of Nations, impressing for Morocco as they have made their way to the semi-finals of their home tournament.
The 26-year-old has scored in every match of the tournament so far, with the host nation set to face off against Nigeria on Wednesday night for a place in the final.
Pep Guardiola Didn’t Want Diaz To Leave
Morocco coach Walid Regragui believes Diaz has all the attributes to “be the best player in the world if he wants to be” after guiding the nation to the AFCON semi-final stage. The Athletic described him as a “superstar” in their rport of Morocco reaching the semi-finals.
Diaz started his career at hometown club Malaga – he was born in Spain but qualified to play for Morocco through family ties – before making the move to Manchester City at the age of 16.
There he grew under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, who was disappointed to see him leave for Real Madrid in 2019.
Guardiola said: “Playing in the top teams is not easy for young players, but he showed his qualities again. His training is always incredible, and he’s really appreciated by all of us.
“He knows we want him, but after that it’s down to his agent and himself. We will do absolutely everything to keep him with us—afterwards he decides. We want him, but at the end it doesn’t depend on us.”
After Diaz left, Guardiola added: “Hopefully other players won’t decide to move on. I don’t want people who don’t want to stay here, to be with us and try to achieve what we want to achieve. If players want to stay, the door is always open for them.”
Brahim Diaz Needs A New Challenge Away From Real Madrid
Diaz has been something of a bit-part player at Madrid in those six years since, going out on loan to AC Milan twice. He has played 18 games across LaLiga and the Champions League this season, but only racked up 484 minutes of action, averaging less than 27 minutes per game.
Reports in Spain claimed Spurs had made a £52million bid for the frontman, who could become Thomas Frank’s third signing of the January transfer window if they complete a deal.
GIVEMESPORT understands Tottenham were in the market for a defensive midfielder, a left-sided forward and a striker this month, with Gallagher and Souza not really fitting the bill for any of those positions, although the Atletico Madrid man can obviously play in a defensive midfield role.
Diaz would also not fit in with any of those desired roles. He has played as a central striker before, but is much better suited in an attacking midfield role or on the right-hand side of a front three.
But while his style may not be what Frank or the club are desperately looking for, many fans might think differently.
Tottenham Need Brahim Diaz – Or Someone Like Him
Spurs have been woefully short of creativity this season, with much of the burden placed on the shoulders of Mohammed Kudus and new signing Xavi Simons.
Simons has taken time to adapt to the Premier League, but has started to show his undoubted quality in recent weeks. Kudus, meanwhile, is now sidelined for a couple of months with injury.
With Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison also on the treatment table, signing a player of Diaz’s quality would certainly lift the weight of expectation off Simons somewhat.
Adding both Gallagher and Diaz to the Spurs midfield ranks would be a real statement of intent to back Frank and would improive the Dane’s options dramatically.