'Right now': David Ornstein says Tottenham aren't likely to sign £35m defender this month

Yesterday at 11:15 AM

Tottenham need some new defensive reinforcements through the door this month.

Spurs' defence is a mess right now. Archie Gray and Djed Spence were Tottenham's centre-back pairing at the end of the Newcastle game at the weekend, and you don't need us to tell you why that is a problem.

Gray is a teenage midfielder and Spence is Spurs' second-choice right-back, if those two are playing at centre-back together, something has gone horribly wrong.

Luckily, the transfer window is open, and Spurs do have some reinforcements in mind.

Tottenham have been linked with Ko Itakura recently, while Abdukodir Khusanov is a Tottenham target too.

Khusanov looks to be an exciting talent, but according to David Ornstein, speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Tottenham aren't likely to look at Khusanov due to the pricetag attached here.

• READ MORE: The role Fabio Paratici currently has at Tottenham Hotspur with January transfer window underway

Tottenham unlikely to go for Abdukodir Khusanov

Ornstein shared what he knows about Khusanov.

The journalist says that the growing sense is that this defender will end up at Man City, claiming that the £35m+ pricetag will put Tottenham off.

"And that’s why you see them showing an interest in the Lens central defender, Khusunov, who is catching the eye of many. Newcastle have liked him for quite some time. Tottenham are aware of him too, but the level I think it’s going to go to financially, I don’t see Tottenham pursuing it right now," Ornstein said.

"And that level, which Lens want is above 40 million euros. (£35m) They’ve put Jorge Mendes, the so-called super agent in charge for this window. They’ve given him a mandate to get the sale done."

"And the more people I speak to, the growing sense is that he will end up at Manchester City, but they obviously have to go through the normal sort of dance and negotiations."

How much have Tottenham spent recently?

Tottenham have been put off of signing Khusanov due to his pricetag.

However, £35m doesn't sound all that steep for a defender who could potentially be a quality signing.

That said, Tottenham, just like every other Premier League club at the moment, need to keep an eye on their Profit and Sustainability numbers.

Indeed, Spurs have spent massive amounts of money over the past 18 months, and they may now be in a position where the cashflow is running a little more dry.

Tottenham were the biggest spenders in the Premier League over the summer, and they may not be in a position to replicate that spending in the January transfer window.

Spurs do need additions, but they may need to look for bargains this month rather than competing with the likes of Manchester City for these expensive young starlets such as Khusanov.