Tottenham enter race to sign £46,000-a-week PSG target who’s a “monster”

Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign a “defensive monster”, but there could be competition from reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Although Spurs have started to turn things around somewhat over the past few weeks, picking up wins against Coventry City, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, their defence has been called into question by Gabby Agbonlahor.

Speaking after the victory against Coventry, Agbonlahor said: “I’m looking at van Hecke again; his defending for the Rudoni goal. I’m looking at van de Ven and Robertson. Goalkeeper Kinsky, I’m not having him one bit.

“You’ve been to Marbella to work out, ‘Let’s play a back three against Coventry; we’re so scared defensively, we’re so poor’, but you still concede a stupid goal. There’s a lot of work to be done.”

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Most recently, Roberto De Zerbi‘s side were edged out in a 1-0 loss against Leeds United at Elland Road, which means they are 11th in the Premier League table heading into the international break, and there is clearly plenty of work still to be done.

Despite the north Londoners falling to a defeat, Jan Paul van Hecke once again managed to impress on a personal level, completing ten defensive actions and winning eight of the nine duels he contested.

In fact, the Dutchman is ranked by FotMob as De Zerbi’s best-performing player in the Premier League this season, despite Agbonlahor criticising his performance against Coventry.

However, Spurs have now entered contention to sign a new centre-back ahead of the January transfer window.

Tottenham enter the race to sign Ismaelo Ganiou

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Tottenham are now eyeing a move for RC Lens star Ismaelo Ganiou, who is attracting widespread interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.

PSG are among the contenders to sign the centre-back, who has been likened to legendary former Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, but it could be difficult to tempt Lens into a sale, given that he penned a new contract which runs until 2030 back in the summer.

The versatile Frenchman is capable of playing at both centre-back and right-back, and he has earned rave reviews from scout Jacek Kulig.

Ganiou, who earns £46,000-a-week, was a part of the Lens squad that won the French Cup under the helm of Pierre Sage last season, and he is averaging 8.7 defensive contributions per 90 in Ligue 1 during the current campaign, the highest number in the squad.