Tottenham Hotspur could make a surprise move for former academy graduate Kyle Walker-Peters…
What’s the word?
That’s according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, who revealed to GIVEMESPORT that it was a deal that Spurs were exploring before deadline day on September 1st.
“Arsenal are keeping tabs on Walker-Peters, but nothing beyond that at this stage. Tottenham are exploring re-signing Walker-Peters from Southampton,” he said.
“I think whoever lands him will land a tremendous player. He was one of the best right-backs in the Premier League last season.”
Do you want Walker-Peters back at Spurs?
Worthy comeback
Indeed, the 25-year-old was a standout star for Southampton, even despite the arrival of Tino Livramento from Chelsea. His form for the Saints even led to a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad – it’s been a while since one of Spurs’ defensive players managed that.
23 of his 37 appearances last season actually came at left-back, making him an even better prospect to sign because he is clearly capable of playing on either flank and that could work wonders given Antonio Conte’s system.
Walker-Peters left the north London outfit back in August 2020 for £12m and has seen his value soar to £26m, as per CIES Football Observatory, who assess the transfer value of professional footballers on a scientific basis.
He has gone onto play 82 times on the south coast, emerging as one of the top players in his position, as Jacobs alludes to.
When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top divisions, the former Spurs man ranks inside the top 4% for progressive carries (7.90 per 90), the top 6% for dribbles completed (1.74 per 90) and the top 7% for touches in the opposition’s penalty box (3.14 per 90), via FBref.
This would suggest that his attacking presence is something of a lethal threat, and that has to be a valuable asset considering his performances are in the Premier League.
“He remembers me a little bit of Philipp Lahm I must say, because he is so good on the ball, he always has good decisions. He can run and makes nearly any mistakes,” boldly claimed Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl to the Daily Echo.
Meanwhile, he has also been praised for his leadership qualities by his manager, describing him as a “role model” and “complete.”
Conte has struggled with the right wing-back position ever since he took over from Nuno Santo in November and with a deal for Djed Spence dragging on, it could make sense for Spurs to look elsewhere as it’s less than a month until the new season gets underway.
The £50k-per-week gem perhaps should have never been sold by Daniel Levy, so now sporting director Fabio Paratici has a chance to right those wrongs in the coming weeks.
Walker-Peters would be a solid sixth signing of the summer transfer window.
AND in other news, £16.6m wasted: Conte must axe £50k-p/w Spurs passenger who Pochettino dubbed “perfect”…
