Tottenham may find it hard to compete for a promising young midfielder.
A defeat to Newcastle United on Tuesday was the final decision for Thomas Frank, leading to his exit from Tottenham after just 13 wins in 38 matches.
The new manager will face significant challenges in reshaping the squad. Although Frank has left, Tottenham has identified several players they want to target in the summer.
Tottenham faces competition for Club Brugge talent
Reports indicate Tottenham is aiming to sign Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic. They have scouted the 20-year-old recently, but he is also on the radar of other Premier League clubs.
As per TEAMtalk, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United are interested in Stankovic, who is the son of former Inter Milan star Dejan Stankovic.
Stankovic has impressed in Belgium after leaving Inter Milan last summer. Since joining Club Brugge, he has become a standout young midfielder in the Jupiler Pro League, scoring four goals and assisting once in 21 appearances. Overall, he has seven goals and four assists in 37 matches.
“Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, and United have all watched Stankovic regularly,” a senior recruitment source told TEAMtalk.
“He’s a talented player, similar to a young Declan Rice. He clearly possesses talent like his father. This kid is special.”
The report mentions that Stankovic is ‘open-minded’ regarding his future, even though Inter Milan has a significant say in his next move. The Nerazzurri can bring him back this summer and next year. While he would enjoy returning to Inter, he is also aware of the interest from England and other top European leagues.
Challenges for Tottenham in signing Stankovic
Acquiring Stankovic from Club Brugge this summer would be challenging, as he is now one of Europe’s most sought-after young midfielders.
Without a manager, and given the current instability and relegation worries, it’s difficult to see a player of Stankovic’s caliber choosing Tottenham over other clubs. Also, failing to qualify for Europe next season would significantly lessen their chances of attracting the talented Serbian.
For Tottenham to have any chance of signing Stankovic, they will need to appoint a strong successor to Frank and present a credible long-term project.