Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Tottenham Hotspur and France midfielder Tanguy Ndombele in the January transfer window.
According to a report from Catalan publication SPORT, Barcelona have set their sights on Tottenham Hotspur’s much-maligned central midfielder Tanguy Ndombele ahead of the upcoming winter transfer window.
Ndombele has been with Tottenham since the summer of 2019 when he made the switch from Olympique Lyon in a deal worth close to €60 million. Two years into his stint at the north London club, it would be safe to say that the move has not worked out as per plans for either party involved.
Indeed, Ndombele, despite showing plenty of glimpses of his innate ability and talent, has just not been able to nail down a place in the side due to a lack of consistency. Injuries have not helped matters either for the French international, while his difficult relationship with former manager Jose Mourinho also contributed to him not being able to showcase his best.
Things seemed to be on the up and up last season but Ndombele lost his place in the side towards the end of the campaign, while he did not enjoy much favour under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo at the onset of the new term as well. However, he has been slowly reintegrated into the side but has continued on his inconsistent ways.
Slammed for his lackadaisical display in the capitulation to Arsenal last month, Ndombele’s stock continues to remain high as Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for soon-to-be out of contract midfielder, Paul Pogba. Now, Barcelona, too, have emerged as a suitor for the former Olympique Lyon man.
Barcelona had been on the lookout for a new midfielder during the summer as well with Georginio Wijnaldum having emerged as their preferred target. However, the Dutchman ended up snubbing the Blaugrana for Paris Saint-Germain, leaving manager Ronald Koeman hanging. The 58-year-old tactician, though, is intent on bolstering his midfield unit during the winter.
It makes sense to a certain degree as well, considering that Barcelona have been heavily reliant on Frenkie de Jong and two other teenagers in Pedri and Gavi. And with the former battling fatigue and injuries, adding another central midfielder would be a smart move from the Catalan giants as they look to steady the ship after a poor start to the season.
Ndombele has been on Barcelona’s radar in the past. In fact, the aforementioned report even states that the Catalan giants had been offered the midfielder’s services during the summer. While a move did not materialise back then, it seems like Barcelona have continued to keep tabs on him and are now mulling over a January swoop. Whether the transfer does see the light of the day remains to be seen, however.
