Manchester United and Manchester City are set to rival each other for highly-rated Tottenham duo Danny Rose and Kyle Walker.
The Sun have sensationally claimed that Manchester United and their neighbouring rivals Manchester City are both interested in the defensive duo of Kyle Walker and Danny Rose. The Tottenham superstars have been widely recognised as the best full-back pairing in the Premier League and the Manchester clubs seem intent on securing their signature.
Rose joined Spurs from Leeds United way back in 2007 and has since grown in leaps and bounds to grab a regular place in the first eleven at White Hart Lane. The English international has electric pace and the strength to support his defensive sturdiness, which makes him a complete package at both ends of the pitch.
Walker, like Rose, joined Spurs from another iconic English club, Sheffield United, in 2009 and has since established himself as one of the best right-backs in the league. However, unlike Rose, Walker relies more on his pace than strength and is more attack-minded than his compatriot.
The two have been a key part of Tottenham’s success and defensive solidity, with Pochettino’s men conceding the least number of goals in the league up until now. The duo have also contributed well on the attacking end, with two goals and seven assists among the two of them.
Walker and Rose recently signed contract extensions that extended their stay at Tottenham till 2021, but the extension doesn’t seem to have deterred the suitors. Manchester United and Manchester City are both interested in the English international duo, and with good reason.
United have been looking at a natural right-back to add to their squad, while Luke Shaw has failed to impress Jose Mourinho in the left-back position. Valencia is the first-choice right-back and has done a commendable job, but is a natural winger, which has prompted Mourinho to delve into the market for a right-back.
However one could say that their neighbours, Manchester City need the full-back duo more. City have ageing full-backs within their ranks, with stars like Gael Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta all around the 30 mark. The Citizens are in need of long-term replacements who can slot straight into the starting eleven at the Etihad.
Walker and Rose fit the bill for both the clubs. The duo would also add to the English and home-grown quota. Add to that their experience playing in the Premier League and they seem the perfect players to target, compared to other promising full-backs without Premier League experience.
Tottenham are unlikely to let go of Rose and Walker easily though. As mentioned above, the duo recently signed extensions, which means Spurs can call the shots during any possible negotiations.
The report has iterated a combined transfer fee of around £60 million and upwards would be necessary to even get Tottenham thinking of a sale. The fee is unlikely to be a barrier though. Both Manchester clubs are knee deep in riches and will not baulk at even the most exorbitant of asking prices, if they deem the players perfect additions for their squad.
But with Tottenham right in the middle of a title challenge along with the two suitors, they are unlikely to want to part with players in the middle of the season. A summer transfer looks more plausible, but whether Rose and Walker would agree to the move is an entirely different question altogether.
It would be intriguing to see where Danny Rose and Kyle Walker end up. But, Tottenham have shown in the recent past that they can hold off suitors and resist the temptation for heavy inflow of cash. And the same may be the case with the full-back duo as Pochettino aims to create a dynasty at White Hart Lane.
