Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified AS Monaco’s Brazilian defender Vanderson as a potential January solution to their right wing-back issues.
According to Football London journalist Alasdair Gold, Vanderson has been earmarked as the latest exciting option for Tottenham to add more quality to the right wing-back role, with manager Antonio Conte unconvinced of the current options at his disposal.
Spurs boss Antonio Conte invested heavily over the summer, spending to the tune of £170 million. However, despite making six new signings, including a £60 million move for Richarlison, there remains some weakness in the Lilywhites’ squad.
Tottenham intend to back Conte in the transfer market in order to convince him to extend his stay at Spurs beyond the summer. The right side of the defence is a position that still generates doubt in the team and has been a problem area for a while now.
Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal have both performed well enough in spells, but Conte is striving to add more quality at right-back with current options failing to put any consistent run of performances. Meanwhile, summer recruit Djed Spence has played just 12 minutes of Premier League football since arriving from Middlesbrough, and the England Under-21 star could be loaned out if a new player is signed next month.
As per the above report, Spurs are prioritising a right wing-back next month. And one of the options that could fit the bill in north London and recruitment chief Fabio Paratici is a big fan of is Monaco’s exciting Brazilian prospect Vanderson.
The 21-year-old only joined the Ligue 1 giants from Brazilian side Gremio in January this year, but he has quickly established himself as a mainstay in the first team. He has already played 45 games for the Ligue 1 side, scoring twice and assisting seven times in the process.
The South American has made 23 appearances in all competitions this term, meanwhile, 15 of which have come in the league, while he has featured in all Europa League group stage games as well as two Champions League qualifiers.
Attack-minded, athletic, and a dynamic defender, Vanderson is renowned for his passing and crossing ability and has rapidly established himself as one of the best right-sided players in Ligue 1.
He is seemingly becoming a hot prospect in the market as many European clubs look to prise him away from the French outfit, with Manchester United and Barcelona still keeping close tabs on his progress. Now, Spurs are looking at him as a potential solution to their right-sided problems.
If they can land Vanderson, Conte will be signing a player of real attacking quality. A modern-day full-back, Vanderson could be an asset due to his pace and attacking prowess. As well as playing at right-back, the player has been deployed further forward by Monaco this season, which shows his offensive prowess.
At 21, the young defender is only going to get better with each season, and he could be the future right-back of Brazil’s national team, so it makes sense for United to target him. He is already good enough to bring more competition and quality to Conte’s defence at Tottenham.
However, the player earned a bumper new contract until 2027 last summer on the back impressive first-half season in France—and his lofty current valuation to boot. Whether a January move is genuinely possible remains to be seen.
