- Tottenham were dealt a massive blow with the injury to Micky van de Ven Ange
- Ange Postecoglou is keen to bring in a defender in the January transfer window
- CHRIS SUTTON: Erik ten Hag was WRONG to say Man United played well after their abysmal Champions League exit… is he losing credibility? It’s All Kicking Off
Tottenham have reportedly identified Benfica youngster Morato as their top defensive target in January.
The 22-year-old impressed in the Portuguese side’s 3-1 Champions League win over RB Salzburg on Wednesday – which earned Roger Schmidt’s outfit a spot in the Europa League.
Spurs are in the market for a defender in the upcoming transfer window following the long-term injury to Micky van de Ven.
According to The Sun, the north Londoners have set their sights on the left-footer after watching him four times in the past month.
The Brazilian has been on the books in Lisbon since he was snapped up from Sao Paulo for £5million in 2019.
Benfica youngster Morato has emerged as Tottenham’s top defensive target this January
Ange Postecoglou is keen to bring in a defender this January to replace Micky van de Ven
Micky van de Ven suffered a hamstring injury in Tottenham’s 4-1 loss to Chelsea in November that will keep him out for months
Morato has gone on to make 65 appearances for the club, with the vast majority of his games this season coming in the Champions League.
The report claims that Ange Postecoglou’s side could be forced to shell out the £68m required to release him from a contract that runs until 2027.
Although, with Benfica failing to make the knockout stages, they could be persuaded to sell the defender at a reduced fee.
Spurs arrested their awful slump with a 4-1 win over Newcastle last week. Postecoglou’s squad began the campaign at blistering pace and were unbeaten in their first 10 league outings.
But a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea, where Van de Ven and James Maddison sustained lengthy injuries,…