Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to challenge Premier League rivals Chelsea in the pursuit of Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez.
According to Fichajes, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur have identified Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez as a possible summer target. But the north Londoners are not the only English club interested in the Uruguayan international, with Chelsea also monitoring him.
Gimenez has been a mainstay in the Atletico Madrid defence for a few years now, but his career with the Rojiblancos has been plagued by injuries. He has not played more than 30 games in a single La Liga season and is currently out of action due to a muscle injury as well.
But that has not deterred the Premier League duo of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur from registering interest in the defender. Both the clubs are looking for centre-backs in the transfer market and have identified the 27-year-old as a possible option.
Chelsea are preparing for the departures of two of their first-choice centre-backs in Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. The former is set to join Real Madrid in a four-year deal, while the Danish international has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Barcelona. Thiago Silva, too, is not getting any younger, meaning Chelsea need defensive reinforcements desperately.
Tottenham, on the other hand, are preparing for a major summer transfer window under Antonio Conte. The north Londoners are eager to provide the Italian tactician with a war chest to improve the side ahead of the 2022/23 season. Central defence is one area where Tottenham could do with some additions, and Gimenez fits the bill perfectly.
A no-nonsense defender, Gimenez has made 245 appearances for Atletico Madrid since joining them in 2013. He has won two La Liga titles with the club and formed an integral part of the Atletico squads that qualified for two UEFA Champions League finals.
Though the Uruguayan is currently sidelined due to injury, he is expected to slot right back into the Atletico backline once he returns to full fitness. He will also have three years remaining on his contract with the Colchoneros after the current season, but the report states that Gimenez could think of a move if the right offer arrives. AC Milan are also said to be interested in the 27-year-old.
