Sky Sports pundit Kevin Phillips has urged Tottenham Hotspur to stump up the funds for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, regardless of whether Harry Kane chooses to stay in North London this summer [Football Insider].
The Lowdown: Spurs seek positive changes in 2021/22
Needing to step up the ante in 2021/22 after a disappointing campaign last year which resulted in UEFA Conference League football, newly crowned Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo will have aspirations of raising standards at the club through high-profile additions.
In regard to the centre-forward position, Kane’s future creates another unsettling dynamic at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium amid continued interest from Manchester City [Guardian].
Spurs have however also been heavily linked with Martinez alongside arch-rivals Arsenal [Football London].
The Latest: Phillips urges Tottenham to pursue Martinez
Ex-England striker Phillips responded bullishly in an interview with Football Insider, adamant of the need to bring the Argentina international to north London: “You have to make provisions in the case Kane leaves.
“It’s a matter of time so Tottenham are lining up someone else to come in.
“If it was Martinez, Inter are getting £160million in the space of a week with Lukaku going.
“How much are Tottenham paying? £60million? £70million? That’s not bad.
“They aren’t in a position to turn that down, we know about their financial troubles.
“They need a great signing like him even if Kane doesn’t go so I can see it happening for £70m, they won’t reject that.
“It might not end up being him but they need a player like that to push on.”
The Verdict: Spurs should look to acquire Martinez as a matter of priority
Correctly, the former Sunderland frontman identifies that the Lilywhites can’t wait on Kane forever to clarify his future.
In 2020/21, Martinez was in excellent form, registering 30 goal contributions in 48 appearances; 19 goals and 11 assists [Transfermarkt].
Regularly involved both as a goalscoring threat and creator, the 23-year-old managed to accomplish a respectable 2.9 shots per fixture across the year [WhoScored] while supplying one key pass per match,
Martinez should indeed be acquired if possible whether Kane stays put or moves on to pastures new, but whether Daniel Levy will stump up the cash to make it happen is another matter entirely.
In other news, Spurs are interested in a La Liga ace.