Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly weighing up a potential move for US Sassuolo right-back Mert Muldur, as Nuno Espirito Santo eyes defensive reinforcements.
According to Daily Mail, Tottenham are on the hunt for Mert Muldur. The US Sassuolo right-back has emerged as a hot prospect in the market following a couple of excellent seasons in Serie A. He was also involved with the Turkish national team in the ongoing European Championship.
Tottenham are believed to one of few Premier League interested in prising Muldur away from Sassuolo this summer. It appears the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo as the new head coach has helped Spurs speed up their transition process. The defensive department has been identified as a particular weakness, with the club being linked with a swoop for Takehiro Tomiyasu recently.
However, it is managerial director Fabio Paratici who seems to be an admirer of Muldur. Having previously worked at Juventus, the 48-year-old is well aware of the defender’s success at Sassuolo since joining the club in 2019.
In just two years, the former Rapid Wien starlet has notched up 54 competitive appearances for the Neroverdi, scoring two goals and chipping in with four assists. He has also become a first-team regular in the Turkey national team, notably winning ten caps.
Despite his nation’s disappointment in Euro 2020, Muldur made a solid impression with his performances at left-back. It indicated the 22-year-old’s versatility while showcasing his attacking prowess, particularly in the defeat to Austria in the final group game.
However, Muldur is primarily known for his defensive resistance. He idolises the philosophy of Sergio Ramos, who recently joined Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Real Madrid in the summer. His defensive positioning, in particular, is quite impressive, while the player is blessed with technical prowess as well.
It makes him a perfect replacement for Serge Aurier as Tottenham brace themselves for an overhaul in the defensive unit. While one can imagine Matt Doherty reviving his game after the arrival of Nuno, Muldur could indeed be a useful outlet on both defensive flanks, becoming an ideal fit in the wing-back system professed by the former Wolves boss.
However, Tottenham might face stiff competition from Arsenal in the pursuit of Mert Muldur. It appears Mikel Arteta is also keen on finding a new full-back ahead of the potential departure of Hector Bellerin, so it will be interesting to see how this transfer saga transpires over the next few weeks.