Journalist Ertan Suzgun has told Sports Digitale (as translated by Sport Witness), that Tottenham failed with a move for Semih Kilicsoy in January and are expected to try again to sign the Besiktas starlet in the summer.
Kilicsoy is making waves in the Super Lig since his senior debut earlier this season, having found the back of the net nine times in 14 league matches so far (Transfermarkt).
Over the last couple of weeks, Spurs Web has brought to you several reports in Turkish outlets suggesting that the Lilywhites are one of the leading contenders to sign the 18-year-old in the summer (Haberturk).
Tottenham and Aston Villa are fighting for Semih Kilicsoy
Suzgun is the latest to make that claim, naming Tottenham and Aston Villa as the clubs who are at the front of the queue for Kilicsoy’s signature.
He says that the two clubs held talks over a deal for the Turkey Under-19 international last month but were informed by Beskitas that he is not for sale.
The journalist adds that the Premier League duo are ‘seriously interested’ in making a move for the teenager when the transfer market reopens in June.
However, Suzgun suggests that a deal might not be straightforward to pull off as Kilicsoy himself wants to remain at the Istanbul club for one more season as the youngster believes that it would help his development to do so.
Spurs Web Opinion
I believe Tottenham are much more likely to go for a younger, up-and-coming centre-forward next summer to compete with Richarlison rather than paying more than £50m or £60m for a big-name number nine like Ivan Toney.
I expect Spurs to spend a significant portion of their transfer budget on a wide player who is adept at taking on his man. Pedro Neto and Raphinha appear to be the ones the club are looking at if reports over the last couple of weeks are to be believed.