Tottenham eyeing shock move to sign “football icon” after Everton transfer went nowhere
Tottenham finally gave their fans something to celebrate as a 3-1 victory over Coventry lifted Roberto De Zerbi’s side out of the relegation zone, but they’ve now been linked with a shock name away from the pitch.
Spurs entered Monday night as the only club in England’s top four divisions without a league win this season, and they had also scored only three times in six Premier League matches, placing De Zerbi under early pressure after an expensive summer rebuild.
James Maddison marked his return to the starting side by curling Tottenham ahead from distance.
Jack Rudoni levelled shortly after half time, but Omar Marmoush quickly restored the lead with a powerful strike that opened his Spurs account.
Ben Davies then made the result safe during stoppage time, while the return of Dejan Kulusevski added another positive moment to an encouraging evening.
|
Tottenham 3-1 Coventry City |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Total |
Tottenham |
Coventry |
|
Possession |
65% |
35% |
|
Expected goals |
0.87 |
0.82 |
|
Total shots |
16 |
12 |
|
Shots on target |
5 |
1 |
|
Shots off target |
7 |
7 |
|
Blocked shots |
4 |
4 |
|
Big chances |
0 |
1 |
|
Corners |
4 |
4 |
|
Total passes |
559 |
287 |
|
Accurate passes |
499 |
222 |
|
Pass accuracy |
89% |
77% |
|
Fouls |
15 |
14 |
|
Offsides |
6 |
1 |
|
Yellow cards |
1 |
3 |
|
Red cards |
0 |
0 |
Tottenham are now 16th with six points from seven games, and while one victory doesn’t fix everything, the performances of Maddison and Marmoush offered hope that a blunt attack is beginning to improve.
That makes their reported interest in Mauro Icardi particularly surprising.
Tottenham join surprise Mauro Icardi race
TyC Sports have relayed a report from Turkish outlet Fanatik naming Tottenham among seven European clubs following the experienced striker.
Icardi, who’s scored 250 career goals and been branded a ‘football icon’ by Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk, remains without a club since his contract with the Süper Lig champions expired in the summer.
More than 100 days have passed without the 33-year-old finding his next destination, and Icardi has been maintaining his fitness through an individual programme in Argentina, but financial demands and the different needs of interested clubs have prevented early conversations from developing into serious negotiations.
Everton were heavily linked with the former Inter Milan and PSG forward last month, and David Moyes’ side were even described as the strongest contenders for his signature at one stage as they explored the free agent market following failed moves for other strikers.
Nothing materialised, though, and Tottenham have now been included in the race.
Spurs already have Dominic Solanke as their main natural centre forward, while Marmoush and Mathys Tel provide further attacking options. That depth means Icardi definitely wouldn’t arrive as an automatic starter.
However, his penalty area movement and finishing could offer De Zerbi something different. Tottenham have struggled to turn possession into goals and an experienced striker would give them another option against compact defences.
That said, Icardi has not played competitive football this season and would need time to reach Premier League fitness. His salary and desired role would also have to fit within a squad that was heavily rebuilt during the summer.
Signing a free agent would remove the need for a transfer fee, but it would still represent a significant commitment.
For now, Tottenham’s name appears on a long list rather than at the front of negotiations, and Monday’s win may also reduce the urgency if Marmoush, Maddison and the returning Kulusevski can transform their attack.
