David Ornstein has revealed he is now convinced that Tottenham Hotspur will bring a centre-back through the door in January regardless of whether they offload Eric Dier.
Over the last two months, a whole host of outlets have reported that signing a centre-back is Spurs’ top priority in January (GiveMeSport).
Ange Postecoglou himself seemingly confirmed the same on Thursday, admitting that the Lilywhites desperately need to strengthen at centre-half as they are short of options in the position (Football.London).
Ornstein himself had said last month that Tottenham do not have much money to spend in January, having spent the bulk of the Harry Kane fee in the summer prior to the striker’s move to Bayern Munich (The Athletic).
This was backed up by Fabrizio Romano, who told Caughtoffside a few weeks ago that Spurs will not spend ‘crazy money’ and will instead be on the lookout for opportunities towards the end of the window.
Ornstein changes his mind about Spurs transfers
Ornstein has now admitted that Tottenham might have a ‘little more money to spend’ than he previously thought.
The journalist also revealed that while he was previously sceptical of whether Spurs would sign a defender without offloading Dier, he now expects them to sign a centre-half regardless of what happens with the 29-year-old’s future.
The journalist said in a Q&A for The Athletic: “There may be little money to spend but that doesn’t mean Spurs cannot be creative to strengthen their squad.
“On the centre-back, I don’t actually think it requires someone like Dier to leave (which I did previously) but let’s see what the club’s new-look recruitment team, in conjunction with Postecoglou, Munn and Levy, manage to do.”
Spurs Web Opinion
With Postecoglou evidently not trusting Dier, there is no chance that his future would have any bearing on Tottenham’s pursuit of a centre-back.
I expect Spurs to get a defender through the door early in the transfer window and then assess the opportunities that open up with respect to the midfield and attack.