Angers manager Stephane Moulin has admitted that the Ligue 1 club may be powerless to prevent rumoured Spurs target Baptiste Santamaria from leaving this summer.
Signing a defensive midfielder is thought to be one of the priorities for Spurs when the transfer window opens (Football Insider) with well-known names including Geoffrey Kondogbia (Sky Sports) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Mirror – 6 March, page 62) being linked with a move to North London.
Another player who has been linked heavily is Santamaria, who is a relative unknown to English football fans in comparison to the aforementioned names.
However, his resume isn’t any less impressive with the 25-year-old has arguably been one of the best holding midfielders in Ligue 1 over the past two campaigns.
His ability to cover ground and recover the ball has seen him being dubbed as the next N’golo Kante.
Tottenham are reportedly going head to head with Leicester City for the Frenchman’s signature this summer (Express).
His agent, Yves Le Mee has already admitted that Angers have agreed to allow the midfielder to leave at the end of the season (Si Gonfia La Rete on Radio Marte, 28 April, 6.30pm).
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Angers boss Moulin has now admitted that Santamaria could be on his way out.
Speaking to Ouest France, Moulin said: “It will be difficult to keep him. There will be offers for Baptiste.
“He has already been targeted last year and after the season he has just had, I do not see how he would not (be wanted) this time. There will be requests.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Santamaria is not likely to be too expensive and despite being 25 years of age, he is still improving season on season, partly because he was a late bloomer. However, a move for Hojbjerg would make a lot more sense since he will come with considerable Premier League experience, which means he can settle in straight away. As we’ve seen with Ndombele, imports from Ligue 1 can take time to get used to the pace and intensity of the Premier League.
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