According to reports in The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur are lining up a move for Atalanta midfielder Bryan Cristante, rated at £18m by Transfermarkt, if they sell Mousa Dembele this summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Mirror reports that Spurs could choose to cash in on the Belgium international at the end of the season if they receive an offer for the 30-year-old that they are unable to turn down, although they aren’t actively looking to move him on.
The midfielder’s current contract with the north London outfit is due to run out next summer, with The Mirror reporting that the player has put talks on extending his deal on hold until after the World Cup in Russia in two months’ time.
The report adds that Mauricio Pochettino is already considering potential replacements for Dembele, with Cristante among those names on his shortlist despite the fact that he is only set to sign a permanent deal to stay with Atalanta at the end of the campaign.
How has Cristante done this season?
He has impressed during his season-long loan spell from Benfica.
The 23-year-old, who can play as either a central midfielder or in a more attacking midfield role, has scored 11 goals – including a brace in the 5-1 Europa League win against Everton at Goodison Park in November – and provided a further two assists for Atalanta in 41 appearances in all competitions for the Italian club this term.
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According to WhoScored.com, as well as successfully completing 51 of the 82 dribbles he has attempted and making 48 key passes in 39 outings in Serie A and Europe this season, he has also shown his defensive abilities by winning 70 tackles and making 25 interceptions.
Would he be a good Dembele replacement?
It’s difficult to say.
While his statistics for Atalanta this season are certainly impressive and he is an Italy international, Dembele would leave huge shoes to fill because of how influential he can be, and it isn’t certain that Cristante could achieve that.
There is no doubt that the 23-year-old looks to have plenty of ability, but Spurs supporters would probably want a higher profile replacement than him if the north London outfit did end up selling one of their most important players.