Tottenham Hotspur is making significant strides to bolster its defense by pursuing Fikayo Tomori from AC Milan, as the transfer window edges closer to its February 3 deadline. With injuries to key players leaving the squad thin, Spurs have identified the former Chelsea defender as a suitable addition to their backline.
According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, Tottenham has reached a verbal agreement with AC Milan for Tomori, establishing the fee at €25 million with potential bonuses pushing the total to €30 million. This deal positions Tottenham favorably against other contenders, namely Aston Villa, who were also interested in Tomori.
Fabrizio Romano has noted, "Spurs are still hopeful of reaching personal terms with Tomori," highlighting the importance of finalizing negotiations before the transfer window closes. The urgency is palpable as injuries continue to ravage Tottenham's defensive lineup. Manager Ange Postecoglou has expressed the need for reinforcements, stating, "We’ve got to let it settle down. We’ll get some more information over the weekend" about his players' fitness.
Torn between injuries and underperformance, Spurs have relied on unorthodox choices like midfielder Archie Gray filling defensive roles. Recent injuries to Sadio Mane and Cristian Romero have only exacerbated their struggles. With the window closing, acquiring Tomori — who has experience both domestically and internationally — could be the lifeline Spurs desperately need.
Prior to this pursuit, Tomori found himself limited for game time at AC Milan, raising questions about his long-term fit with the club amid growing competition for places. His recent contributions to Milan’s Serie A triumph demonstrated his capabilities, yet his current status suggests he's not entirely part of Milan's plans going forward.
At Tottenham, Tomori would offer more than just experience; his passing ability and comfort on the ball are well-suited to the style of play Postecoglou is trying to implement. Following the team’s string of injuries, adding someone like Tomori who can quickly integrate might lighten the load for both coach and team on the pitch.
Reports updated on January 31 indicate the negotiations were at an advanced stage, with Gianluca Di Marzio confirming the deal's worth at around £20.9 million plus £4.2 million in bonuses. Di Marzio stated, "The verbal agreement with Tottenham for Fikayo Tomori is €20.9 million plus €4.2 million bonuses,” indicating the importance of Tomori's pending decision on moving to North London.
Despite Tottenham’s eagerness, Tomori has yet to give his final approval of the transfer. His hesitation raises the stakes for Spurs as the transfer deadline approaches, potentially costing them the opportunity to improve their squad significantly. Should Tomori accept, he could miss out on the Derby della Madonnina between AC Milan and Inter this weekend — another sign of how pressing these negotiations truly are.
Meanwhile, Tottenham's pursuit has not been without drama. Both fans and the media have watched this situation closely, particularly after reports surfaced linking Tomori to other clubs like Juventus. But with Milan's new management under Sergio Conceicao prioritizing clearouts and Tottenham's urgent need for defensive reinforcements, the deal seems to align perfectly for all parties involved.
Paul Merson mentioned on Sky Sports, “I think there will be a lot of teams after Tomori. Manchester United could do with him and Arsenal could as well.” This broad interest underlines Tomori’s valuable skill set and confirms the smart move Tottenham is making if they can land him.
Overall, the acquisition of Fikayo Tomori could help shift Tottenham’s defensive fortunes, allowing them to deal with injuries more effectively as they navigate the second half of the season. Spurs fans will be hoping for positive news as they wait for Tomori’s decision and the confirmation of the transfer — a move they’ve long anticipated since the beginning of January.
With so much on the line for both Tomori and Tottenham, the next few days will undoubtedly prove pivotal for all involved as the clock ticks down toward the transfer deadline.