Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso, who could be available in the summer.
According to Daily Mail, Mario Hermoso has emerged as the latest defensive target for Tottenham Hotspur. The Premier League giants are in the market for a new left-footed centre-back this summer as Antonio Conte looks to shore up his options at the back and provide a solid partner for Cristian Romero.
Hermoso fits the bill well due to his technical quality and versatility at the back. He is also likely to be offloaded by Atletico Madrid in the summer, with the Spanish outfit open to listening to any reasonable offer.
Formerly of the prestigious Real Madrid academy, Hermoso has enjoyed reasonable success since his move to Atleti from Espanyol in the summer of 2019. He has featured in almost 100 competitive matches for Los Rojiblancos, with Diego Simeone extracting the best out of him in the left centre-back role in a back three.
A ball-playing centre-back by trade, the 26-year-old has indeed impressed the onlookers with his ability to carry the ball upfield. His passing range, coupled with the ability to shift into a left-back has made him a good fit at Atleti.
This year, though, Hermoso has struggled to gain regular game-time following the arrival of Reinildo Mandava in January. The presence of Renan Lodi hasn’t helped either while the defender has also struggled with a niggle and a spell of COVID-19.
But that hasn’t deterred Tottenham Hotspur from seeking a move in the summer. As mentioned earlier, coach Antonio Conte wants to find a competent defensive partner for Romero and Eric Dier, as he doesn’t hold much faith in Davinson Sanchez, while Joe Rodon is keen on leaving the club.
Tottenham have targeted multiple options including RB Leipzig’s emerging talent Josko Gvardiol and Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni. But in Mario Hermoso, the Lilywhites could find themselves a cost-effective alternative, who has what it takes to become a success in the Premier League.
With over 125 appearances in La Liga, Hermoso has enough experience at the highest level of football. It is combined with his technical superiority and athleticism, making him an ideal coup for Spurs next season. However, it remains to be seen how much Atletico Madrid demand for the services of their defensive asset this summer.
