Manager admits reported Spurs central defensive target will be hard to replace

Reports over recent weeks have revealed that Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho will prioritise rebuilding the Spurs defence when the transfer market reopens in the summer (the Express).

Spurs are expected to be in the market for a centre half in the summer with Jan Vertonghen’s contract running out at the end of the season.

One of the latest central defenders to emerge as a target for the club in the summer is Hellas Verona’s Marash Kumbulla.

Verona currently sit eighth in the Seria A table in their first season back in the Italian top flight and Kumbulla has been brilliant at their heart of their defence this year.

Firenze Viola report that Spurs are among the clubs who are interested in signing the 20-year-old in the summer, but face competition from both the likes of AC Milan, Manchester United and Inter for his signature.

Verona coach Ivan Juric, who handed Kumbulla his big break, has now expressed his concern about the difficulty of replacing the Albanian international if he leaves the club.

Juric told Tuttomercatoweb: “No boy is ready (to be promoted to the first-team). There’s not another Kumbulla. But (the academy players) certainly have potential.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It will be interesting to see if the club continues its policy of buying young players with potential like Kumbulla rather than investing in tried and tested talent. I image Jose will want to make sure he brings in experienced defenders who can come in and sort the team’s issues straight away.

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