Geoffrey-Kondogbia
Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Defensive midfield is one of the areas where Tottenham Hotspur are said to be prioritising additions in the summer ahead of the next Premier League campaign.

It is certainly an area where Tottenham are short in numbers, especially since Victor Wanyama left the club for the MLS and Eric Dier is reportedly set to be moved back to centre-half

Tottenham have been linked with several midfield pivots over the past few weeks including Baptiste Santamaria and Geoffrey Kondogbia.

Another potential target has now emerged with respected journalist Jordan Choco claiming that the Lilywhites could make a move for Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey.

Partey has been a mainstay in Atletico’s midfield for the past few seasons and established himself as one of the best ball-winners in La Liga, one who I would back as the winner of the best midfielder in Spain award.

The Ghanaian international reportedly has a release clause of £43 million and is also said to be interesting Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United

Spanish giants Atletico are understandably keen to keep hold of the player, offering him a new contract until 2025 which reportedly includes both a wage increase and a higher release clause.

Choco reveals that the Lilywhites are one of three clubs who like Partey’s profile.

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has not been surprised by the interest in Partey and sung his compatriot’s praises during an Instagram Live interview this week.

‘Thomas is such a good player. I’d have loved to play with him,’ Essien, now playing for Azerbaijani club Sabail, told South African reporter Carol Tshabalala.

‘He is a young and talented player making waves in Europe. He is one player I’d liked to play alongside but it will never happen.

‘It is their time at the Black Stars now so we have to support them and hopefully they can take it from where we left off.’

It is claimed that Atleti have Getafe’s Mauro Arambarri in their sights as a potential replacement with the 25-year-old having missed just two league matches all season for the fifth-placed Madrid club.

Spurs Web Opinion

Partey perfectly fits the bill for what we need and if the rumoured £43 million release clause is true, then the deal could be very good value for money. The Ghanian is not just fantastic at recovering the ball and shielding the back four but is also tidy in possession. So he can give the platform for the likes of Lo Celso and Ndombele to excel next season.

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