Barcelona have approached Tottenham Hotspur over a move for out-of-favour duo Ryan Sessegnon and Tanguy Ndombele.
According to a report published by Evening Standard, Barcelona have made a move for beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur duo Ryan Sessegnon and Tanguy Ndombele and are willing to offer Spurs a player + cash deal.
Sessegnon arrived at Spurs on the back of two impressive seasons with Fulham FC who were relegated from the Premier League. He first caught the eye of viewers after his spectacular 2017/18 season in the Championship when he scored fifteen goals and gave six assists from the left-back position.
He helped Fulham earn a promotion to the Premier League, winning the Championship Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season, and Apprentice of the Year.
He moved to Tottenham with the desire to play under Mauricio Pochettino, who is well renowned for developing young players into world-beaters. However, the season did not start well for the youngster who hit a long-term injury just before the season started.
And before he could make his debut for Spurs, Pochettino was sacked, leaving him with Jose Mourinho. Sessegnon has clocked in six games in the Premier League, out of which four have been starts. He has recorded no direct goal contribution in the time, but managed to score against Bayern Munich in their 3-1 defeat in the Champions League.
Ndombele, however, became Tottenham royalty the minute his transfer was confirmed, who paid a club-record €60 million for the Frenchman. He had the fans hyped in the first two games itself, scoring the equaliser against Aston Villa on his debut on matchday 1, and then providing the assist in their 2-2 draw against Manchester City.
However, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is some sort of friction between him and Mourinho which is keeping him out of the team for a lot of their games. The 23-year-old has not started a single game in Project Restart; his only appearance coming off the bench vs Sheffield. He has played just 20 games this season, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
Both these players have emerged on Barcelona’s radar who want to increase depth in their team without spending too much. The duo are interested in a move, fearing lack of game-time would push them out of their respective national teams. However, Tottenham are not ready to sell the pair that cost them over a combined €80 million.
Barca already have seven midfielders on their payroll, out of almost everybody can do exactly what Ndombele is capable of. A move for the French midfielder could also halt Riqui Puig and Carles Alena’s progress.
That said, their interest in Ndombele is no surprise, initially contacting him for a move from his time in Olympique Lyonnais. Eric Abidal is the catalyst in this move and is willing to offer Spurs a player in exchange or get Ndombele on a loan if possible.
Sessegnon’s situation is a bit more complicated. Mourinho looks at the 19-year-old as their long-term solution for the LB spot, and is not prepared to let him leave.
Sessegnon could serve as an able deputy for Jodi Alba in that position, a role currently taken on by Junior Firpo who has done nothing so far to indicate he is capable to fill those massive boots. A move for either player seems improbable right now, but it will be interesting to see this transfer unfold in the coming months.
