Five alternative wide-man targets if Depay move falls through.
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With news that Tottenham Hotspur’s move for PSV winger Memphis Depay could fall through, CaughtOffside looks at five alternative winger targets that could make good signings for Mauricio Pochettino this summer.
Spurs have strengthened well in defence so far this summer, and look set to seal a deal for Villarreal centre-back Mateo Musacchio to come in alongside promising youngsters Eric Dier and Ben Davies at the back, but attack remains something of a concern for the new boss, who has made Depay one of his main targets.
The 20-year-old was in highly impressive form for the Netherlands at this summer’s World Cup, and looks a player ready to make the step up to the Premier League, with Manchester United also thought to be interested in snapping him up.
Still, with a proposed swap deal falling through due to Nacer Chadli’s reluctance to move to PSV, Spurs may now have to consider other options, with five possible targets listed below.
5) Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United)
Once regarded as one of the most promising young players in England, Wilfried Zaha has somewhat lost his way at Manchester United after struggling to break into the first-team last season. A disappointing loan spell at Cardiff City followed and the player looks likely to make way this summer as new manager Louis van Gaal plots a reshuffle of his squad. Whether on loan or on a permanent deal, Zaha may be worth a gamble from Spurs as they look to inject some pace and flair into their side. Still young and full of potential, Zaha could prove a top signing for the club if they can get the best out of him, and he may be a good signing if he is available on the cheap this summer.
4) Christian Atsu (Chelsea)
A highly promising talent currently on the books at Chelsea, Ghanian winger Christian Atsu was linked with Tottenham in the past whilst at previous club Porto, and could now be a good target for them again as he looks set to be sent out on loan this season. Everton are believed to be the main suitors for his signature at the moment, though with news that this move could potentially fall through, Spurs should enter the running to snap him up on a season-long deal. It remains to be seen if Chelsea will allow the player to move to a rival, but Tottenham could certainly benefit from a young player of this quality in their side, which would ensure the Blues of their player gaining regular first-team football and experience this season.
3) Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica)
One of the most outstanding players in Portuguese football at the moment, Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan may be something of an ambitious target, but one that his fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino should certainly consider. The pacey and skillful wide-man has been terrific for Benfica, attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and AS Monaco for much of this summer. Valued at around £30m, he may prove a little too expensive for Spurs, but could be worth pursuing if they remain serious about breaking into the top four in 2014/15.
2) Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain)
A player who has been linked with Tottenham before, Paris Saint-Germain winger Ezequiel Lavezzi is also rumoured to be attracting interest from Liverpool this summer after finding himself on the fringes of the first-team at the Parc des Princes. The experienced Argentine international showed his quality at previous club Napoli, but could be for sale this summer after failing to replicate his best form in Ligue 1. Spurs could certainly do far worse than this versatile attacking midfielder, who will no doubt move to one of their rivals if they don’t act fast to snap him up.
1) Julian Draxler (Schalke)
Linked with a surprise £17m bid for him earlier this summer, Schalke starlet Julian Draxler has emerged as a target for Tottenham in the recent past, despite being linked with a big-money move to Arsenal back in January. The German international has been a little off form of late, but remains regarded as one of the best young talents in Europe. Still only 20 years old, this skillful attacker can play either out wide or behind the main striker and would certainly represent a major showing of ambition from Tottenham if they could bring him in, though Schalke have shown themselves to be tough bargainers for their prized talent.