(Football news) Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur are close to agreeing a deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers for Adama Traore with the fee expected to be in the region of £20 million. Spurs had a £15m bid rejected for the Spanish international who were holding out for a fee of £25m. However, it’s now expected that both the teams are willing to compromise and finish all the necessary formalities before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Adama Traore has been a long term target for Tottenham and currently has a contract until June 2023 with Wolves. The Spaniard was linked to Spurs at the end of the summer’s transfer window and will become Antonio Conte’s first signing at the club since he took over from Nuno Espirito Santo. Personal terms are not expected to be a problem between Spurs and Traore as long as the transfer fee is agreed between the two clubs. Conte is also expecting the club to sign a midfielder and a forward in the January transfer window apart from Traore.
It’s fair to say that Traore’s arrival will not threaten either Harry Kane or Heung-Min Son’s position in the team. The Spaniard is expected to replace Steven Bergwijn who has been linked to Ajax and could provide competition for Lucas Moura. Traore’s versatility means that the 26 year old can also play in the wing back position if required. All indications are pointing towards Traore being an upgrade over Bergwijn, statistically the Spaniard has more dribbles completed, more dribble success rate and almost five times more crosses from open play per 90 minutes compared to the Dutchman and even Lucas Moura.
However, one factor of his game that definitely needs improving is the end product as the Spaniard is yet to score a goal or provide an assist in his 18 appearances for Wolves this season. While Traore has the speed and power, useful traits for a wide player, his overall output leaves much to be desired and his goals/assists rate is less than half when compared to Lucas Moura or Steven Begwijn. According to Fabrizio Romano “Tottenham are prepared to push on the Adama Traoré deal starting from today. Talks will restart with Wolves to enter into final details & reach the agreement. Club confident to complete the new signing. No talks to include Gini Wijnaldum into the Ndombele loan deal as of now.”
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