Premier League Teams Tottenham and Newcastle Eye January Transfer for Defender Fikayo Tomori

Both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are reportedly gearing up for a strategic maneuver in the upcoming January transfer window, targeting defender Fikayo Tomori. According to insights from talkSPORT, the former Chelsea centre-back has attracted interest due to his recent challenges at AC Milan, where he has struggled to secure a starting position and maintain consistent playtime.

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After joining AC Milan in January 2021, initially on loan from Chelsea, Tomori quickly became a reliable presence in the defense of the Italian giants. However, his situation has taken a turn this season, as he has only made six starts in Serie A, supplemented by three substitute appearances since early October. This lack of game time has raised concerns about his form and fitness, prompting interest from clubs seeking to bolster their defensive lineups.

In the last ten matches of the Serie A season, Tomori has been limited to a mere 13 minutes on the pitch, which is quite a drastic reduction in his playing time. This situation is particularly alarming for a player of his caliber and potential. With Tottenham facing a defensive crisis due to injuries to key players like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, they are keen to explore options that could stabilize their backline.

In a bid to manage these defensive shortages, young midfielder Archie Gray has filled in at centre-back during the last five Premier League matches, a move that has unfortunately resulted in Spurs conceding a staggering 13 goals. This defensive frailty highlights the urgent need for a seasoned defender like Tomori, who could provide the necessary experience and depth to the squad.

Additionally, Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, is reportedly interested in acquiring Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, further indicating that the club is actively looking to strengthen their ranks. If Tomori were to join Spurs, he would face competition for a starting position with Guglielmo Vicario, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury. Meanwhile, veteran Fraser Forster has taken charge in Vicario’s absence but has struggled, conceding 15 goals in just seven league appearances.

On the other hand, Newcastle United has been actively searching for a solid centre-back over the past few transfer windows. They had previously made a club-record £65 million bid for Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, which was ultimately turned down. This ongoing search for defensive reinforcements makes Tomori an attractive option for the Magpies, especially given his previous experience in the Premier League.

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Newcastle United’s management is also exploring options for potential transfers, including Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah, who was considered in a swap deal involving Anthony Gordon; however, negotiations fell through. In light of the current circumstances, Tomori appears to be a more feasible transfer target for Newcastle, despite his contract with AC Milan running until June 2027.

Both West Ham and Brentford are on the lookout to enhance their defensive capabilities as well, especially given their defensive records, with each team conceding 35 goals in their 19 Premier League matches this season. This situation makes Tomori an attractive candidate for clubs looking to tighten up their defenses.

Rising through the prestigious ranks of Chelsea’s Cobham academy, Tomori made his senior debut at the young age of 19 back in May 2015. He went on to make a total of 27 appearances for Chelsea before transferring to AC Milan, where he celebrated winning the Serie A title in 2022. The 27-year-old defender has also represented the England national team, earning five senior caps, with his most recent appearance occurring during a Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta in November 2023.