Newcastle United are reportedly considering signing Japhet Tanganga on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy from Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
According to Italian journalist Marco Conterio, Newcastle United have joined AC Milan in the race to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga in the ongoing transfer window.
Tanganga came through the ranks at Tottenham, making his debut in 2019 under Mauricio Pochettino. However, he rose to prominence after Jose Mourinho took over the reins of the club. But the versatile defender’s progress has somewhat stalled due to intermittent injuries, while the change of managers has not helped his cause either.
Tanganga made just 11 appearances in the Premier League in 2021/22, missing a good chunk of the second half of the season due to a knee injury. With Tottenham adding a new central defender in Clement Lenglet and pushing to sign a new right-back in Djed Spence, the 23-year-old academy graduate will likely fall down the pecking order this summer.
Tottenham are open to sanctioning a departure for Tanganga, and AC Milan have shown a keen interest in signing him. The Serie A champions have even spoken to his camp over a possible transfer. But they will now face competition from Newcastle United in the race to land the Spurs prospect.
Newcastle United have made some significant signings already this summer, none more so than the acquisition of Sven Botman to bolster their rearguard. But, Eddie Howe remains keen on adding another defensive personnel to his roster before the transfer window slams shut.
Tanganga, to that end, has emerged as a possible option considering that he can play at right-back and centre-back, essentially providing cover in two positions in the squad. The Magpies are reportedly ready to sign the 23-year-old from Tottenham on a season-long loan deal while including an obligation to purchase him next year.
Such an operation would appeal to Tottenham as per the report, which puts Newcastle in an advantageous position in the race for Tanganga. However, the Tynesiders will also have to deal with competition from newly-promoted Premier League club Bournemouth. Two more clubs in the form of Everton and Southampton have also made loan approaches for the Englishman.