Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Sporting Lisbon, Transfers
Ryan Smart
Topics: Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Sporting Lisbon, Transfers
Tottenham have reportedly identified their top midfield transfer target for the summer window - but there is said to be an Arsenal-sized scenario involved.
Ange Postecoglou has completed a number of significant deals since arriving as Spurs manager last summer, although most of them have been in defence and attack.
Fellow new signing James Maddison was signed to play in attacking midfield, but Postecoglou has generally relied on the players that were at the club under Antonio Conte in midfield areas.
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And while the likes of Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr have produced some much-improved displays compared to last season, the Australian boss is reportedly looking for more midfield depth.
That's according to Portuguese outlet Record, who report that Spurs are interested in signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand.
The 24-year-old Denmark international signed for Sporting from Serie A side Lecce, who received a record sale in the region of €18 million for the player, last summer.
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Record claim that scouts from Spurs have been tracking the midfielder for a number of months, with recruitment chiefs watching the recent derby against Benfica in the Taca de Portugal semi-finals.
Hjulmand will have impressed scouts, providing an assist during his side's eventual 2-1 win.
He has two goals and two assists to his name in Liga Portugal this season, with Sporting currently in second place in the table. Ruben Amorim's side are two points behind Benfica, but do have a game in hand.
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But the Portuguese outlet also report that the midfielder has an Arsenal tattoo, as he grew up as a fan of the Gunners.
Earlier this season, he told Sporting TV (quotes via Manchester Evening News): "When I started watching football, Arsenal had a fantastic team and Patrick Vieira was the captain and played in midfield.
"He was, and is, a great inspiration to me.
"My father had supported Arsenal for many years and we started watching the games when we were younger."
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Record do add, though, that the tattoo would have no bearing on whether he joins Spurs or not - and it is unclear as to whether he still supports Arsenal to such an extent since he began his professional career.
Still, though, the tattoo might be the subject of a few jokes in his early days at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium if he does join the club - or he might just decide to get it removed before he joins.