Spurs look to sign Neres

Tottenham Hotspur are ready to make a January move to sign Ajax attacker David Neres as they look for alternatives to Bordeaux playmaker Malcom, according to reports. Spurs were believed to be battling north London rivals Arsenal for the signature of Malcom, who has lit up Ligue 1 since leaving Corinthians, though the French side are adamant he will not be sold. Former Tottenham player and coach Gus Poyet was unveiled as Bordeaux’s new manager on Monday, and confirmed as much in his first press conference: ‘I asked straight away if Malcom would be staying or not and they said yes.’

And according to Goal Brasil, Spurs have wasted little time in moving on from Malcom and are already lining up a transfer offer for his compatriot Neres.

Tottenham are prepared to spend as much as £44 million (€50m) to land the 20-year-old, who has been in Europe for just over a year after leaving Sao Paulo for Amsterdam in the previous January window.

Spurs have a long-standing relationship with Ajax that could help negotiations, while Neres’ contract demands are significantly less than Malcom’s. Neres has scored eight goals and recorded a further nine assists – the most in the division – in just 17 Eredivisie appearances, directly involved in a goal every 75 minutes this season.

The young Brazilian is seen as one of the most talented young players in Europe, and played alongside Spurs’ club-record signing, Colombian centre-back Davinson Sanchez, for six months. If he moved to north London, Neres would join a long list of Ajax alumni that includes Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen. Spurs have not completely given up on Malcom, and have invested a lot of time in the deal – with Mauricio Pochettino reportedly even speaking to the Bordeaux star – but Neres is now seen as the more attainable player.

(Metro)

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