Tottenham Hotspur are very much active as the summer transfer window winds down. Clubs all over Europe are scrambling to wrap up a variety of deals, and Thomas Frank’s side are eager to add some creative quality to their side.
For James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are sidelined, the former for most of the campaign and Kulusevski for an indeterminate period, sidelined for several months already.
Xavi Simons has been signed from RB Leipzig to temper such blows, but more might be needed, hence why they’ve agreed a deal to bring Randal Kolo-Muani to north London.
However, Frank isn’t only limited to the number ten position or forward areas, actually keen on signing a ball-playing defender before the end of the day too.
Spurs open talks for new signing
According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are interested in signing Inter Milan defender Benjamin Pavard before the looming closure of the transfer window, having opened talks with the Serie A giants.
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The 29-year-old also has attracted attention from Manchester United and Marseille, but Spurs have the most advanced interest at this stage, having made initial contact already.
The France international is understood to be open to moving to the Premier League by the end of the day, and Inter would consider cashing in, should their €20m (£17m) price tag be met.
Why Spurs want Pavard
Pavard is an accomplished defender with a wide range of qualities that allow him to play both in central defence and out wide, at right-back.
He would add depth and dynamism to Frank’s outfit, and given that he ranks among the top 18% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the top 16% for progressive passes and the top 16% for through balls per 90, would add much fluency to Tottenham’s build-up play.
A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent’s goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.
Once hailed by then Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel for his “underrated” qualities within teams challenging at the top, Pavard could certainly prove to be Tottenham’s best deadline-day deal since landing Kulusevski from Juventus in January 2022, especially when considering Levy would be keeping the Serie A connection alive with this one too.
Kulusevski has been a wonderful player for Tottenham, immense in Ange Postecoglou’s system last year despite the issues the club were beset with.
Pavard might be at a different stage of his career, but there’s no question that he would solidify Tottenham’s backline while adding some creative impetus to the ranks too.
Matches (starts)
32 (27)
Goals
7
Assists
4
Touches*
44.5
Accurate passes*
20.0 (81%)
Big chances created
9
Key passes*
2.1
Dribbles*
1.2
Tackles + interceptions*
1.8
Duels won*
4.1
It would be a fallacy to believe that Tottenham’s playmaking potential would be unlocked solely through the signing of attacking midfielders.
It’s a team sport, after all, and players such as Pavard would feed through the lines while protecting the goalmouth too.
Kulusevski has proved a bona fide success in London, and the same could be true for an experienced star like Pavard.