Andre Villas-Boas admits defeat in striker race as Spurs receive potential transfer boost

Tottenham Hotspur may have received a boost in their reported pursuit of M’baye Niang this summer after Andre Villas-Boas admitted that Marseille will not make an offer for the striker.

It is not surprising to see Niang being linked with a move away from Rennes this year, with the striker having enjoyed the most prolific season of his career to date, finding the back of the net on fifteen occasions (tranfermarkt.com).

Niang has also proven to be much more than just a goalscorer as his physical presence up front and ability to play with his back to goal has made him a constant menace for Ligue 1 defences.

Spurs are reportedly eyeing a move for the 25-year-old striker, who they have identified as a potential back up for Harry Kane (L’Equipe via GFFN).

However, reports from France previously installed Marseille as the favourites for the striker’s signature (Le Parisian).

Villas-Boas has now distanced the Ligue 1 giants from a move for the former AC Milan man as he insisted that the club did not have the resources to sign him.

When asked about Marseille’s interest in Niang, the former Tottenham boss told La Provence: “I let the player’s entourage know that we are not on him.

“We were contacted by his agent in February, because Andoni (Zubizarreta, Marseille’s former sporting director) had a good relationship with him.

“We have not made an offer. We have neither the means nor the interest to sign him. It is not because he does not have the quality, but because we do not have the funds and that we are looking for another player.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I believe Niang could be a solid addition to the Tottenham squad but there does seem to be question marks about his attitude. Therefore, I am not sure if he is the kind of player to accept a bit-part role and not create a fuss. The fact that Villas-Boas has confirmed that it was Niang’s agent who contacted Marseille, makes me suspect the authenticity of the reports linking us with him. The striker’s agent could well have fed the news about our interest to the press in an effort to engineer a transfer for Niang.

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