Tottenham chasing wonderkid defender who is considered a 'special talent': report

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Tottenham are in the market for a promising young talent ahead of the summer transfer window

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, applauds the fans after defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur at American Express Community Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tottenham are interested in signing a wonderkid defender in the summer transfer window, as Ange Postecoglou looks to bolster his options at the back.

Though Radu Dragusin arrived in the January transfer window to add cover for Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, Tottenham are still light at centre-back having seen Ben Davies and Emerson Royal both fill in at that position so far this term.

But with Eric Dier likely to make a move permanently away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs would welcome another option ahead of playing in European competition again in 2024/25. 

Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin makes his debut for the club against Manchester United

Spurs signed Dragusin in January for more defensive cover (Image credit: DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Tottenham are interested in signing Barcelona centre-back Mikayil Faye, who has been impressing for the Blaugrana's reserve side this season. 

Faye only joined Barcelona in the summer from Croatian side NK Kustosija, following a promising youth career in his native Senegal. He signed a four-year contract to keep him in Catalonia until 2027, though Tottenham could reportedly attempt to bring him to north London a lot sooner than that. 

Fabrizio Romano claims that Nice, Lens, Ajax and Girona were all interested in signing the 19-year-old in January, but Barcelona consider him a "special talent" and therefore blocked any potential move.

Tottenham Hotspur target Mikayil Faye of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on March 08, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Faye has impressed Spurs (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Senegalese defender is a capable of playing centre-back as well as left-back, and though he hasn't made his debut in the senior Barcelona side, Xavi did include him on the bench for their 1-0 win against Mallorca last week. 

Tottenham, meanwhile, are interested in Faye due to his ability on the ball and agression in defending. While he has received two red cards for Barcelona B this term, Faye's style of play could slot in well in Postecoglou's backline, alongside Cristian Romero. 

Transfermarkt values Faye at just £1m, though he has a reported release clause of £342m. 

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Ryan Dabbs
Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.