Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly targeting German U-21 star Jeremy Toljan from Hoffenheim and are close to inking a deal for the player
According to a report by The Sun, Tottenham are closing in on the signing of 22-year-old Hoffenheim defender Jeremy Toljan after the youngster helped Germany win the U-21 Euros last month.
Toljan, who is equally adept at playing at either full-back positions, has only a year left on his deal with the Bundesliga club and it is believed that the Spurs are set to beat Benfica to the signing of the promising defender.
The player made his debut for Hoffenheim when he was merely 18 years old back in 2013 and is believed to be the next big thing in Germany. He has been capped at all levels right from Under-17 to Under-21, and he also played a significant role in helping his country win the U-21 Euros last month.
Although Toljan is right-footed, he has spent most of his career playing as a left-back. The youngster’s versatility will definitely boost the Spurs’ defence since he did excel in a variety of roles for Hoffenheim last season.
He also provided his team with a goal and an assist, but he did lack consistency and focus last season, and those are certain things Mauricio Pochettino can work on. The crux of the matter is that Toljan will need to be treated like a rough diamond since he will need a lot of work.
However, Pochettino will be aware of the fact that he is talented enough to be moulded into something special. If the deal goes through, Toljan will be expected to compete with Kieran Trippier for the right-back spot.
Meanwhile, the Tottenham boss will be determined to sign a new defender after the mega-money sale of Kyle Walker to Manchester City last week. The manager will also be desperate to sign a new deal since the Spurs have faced a lot of criticism so far this summer due to their shocking lack of transfer activity.
While their rivals are spending several millions, they are the only Premier League team yet to add a first-team player to their squad and time is certainly running out.