Former Crystal Palace midfielder Darren Ambrose has claimed that he was hoping Tottenham Hotspur would snap up Calvin Bassey before the Nigeria international completed a move to Ajax this summer.
Spurs have strengthened at left wing-back with the addition of Ivan Perisic, and the Croat was the first player to arrive through the door on a free transfer this summer.
The 33-year-old, who previously worked with Antonio Conte at Inter Milan, is expected to compete with Ryan Sessegnon for a place in the starting eleven.
Another promising left-back who was on the market this summer was Bassey, who had hit the limelight thanks to his impressive displays in the Scottish Premiership over the last two years.
The 22-year-old, who also featured at centre-back on occasions for Rangers, registered seven assists across all competitions in 2021/22 (Transfermarkt).
Ajax paid £23m to snap up Bassey from the Gers this summer (Sky Sports), and Ambrose believes he would have been a great signing for his beloved Tottenham at that price.
The pundit told talkSPORT (20/07/22 – 16:00 – 19:00): “I watched him in the Europa League, especially the final against Frankfurt, I thought he was outstanding. I think this is a tremendous signing for Ajax.
MORE SPURS STORIES
“The games I did watch, he stood out and I was, as a Spurs fan thinking, ‘we should go for Calvin Bassey’.
“They (Ajax) have just sold Martinez to Manchester United, so it has freed up space. At £23 million, that is a snip. It’s a pearl (of a signing) for me.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Bassey is a fantastic talent but he would not have fit into Conte’s system as the 22-year-old does not provide enough going forward. Like Emerson Royal and Sergio Reguilon, the Nigerian is a very competent full-back in a back four but he is not suited to playing as a wing-back.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
