Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly “leading the race” to sign Brazilian defender Morato from Benfica in the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, as relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham are in front of the queue in the race to sign highly-rated Benfica centre-back Morato as Ange Postecoglou aims to strengthen his defence.
Who is Morato?
The talented 22-year-old joined Benfica from Brazilian Sao Paulo in the summer of 2019 for a fee of £5 million. A left footer, he scooped his first-ever league title last season, but has come on leaps and bounds this season in terms of establishing himself as a mainstay at the back.
He has made 27 appearances so far this term, scoring two goals and helping his team to 10 clean sheets in the process. And the ace’s contract runs until 2027, with a release clause currently set at £68 million.
It’s claimed that last summer, Benfica rejected a €25 million offer from Fulham and a €30 million bid from Nottingham Forest, despite the player trying to force through a move to England. The Premier League duo remain keen on Morato, but they will now face a new Premier League competitor in the chase.
Spurs aiming to fend off Premier League interest for Morato
Spurs invested in Micky van de Ven last summer, and he has proved to be a great addition so far. While Radu Dragusin was also snapped up from Genoa only last month, Ange Postecoglou still wants reinforcements in that area.
Tottenham’s interest in Morato stems from Eric Dier leaving the North London club to join Bayern Munich. Leeds loanee Joe Rodon is also expected to depart permanently at the end of the season.
Postecoglou has several exciting names on his transfer shortlist, with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio, and OGC Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo among those rated by the manager.
According to the above report, however, Tottenham are at the front of the queue to sign Morato, but they will face a major hurdle if the London club are to complete a deal this summer.
The report adds that there is “no guarantee” Morato will be sold this summer due to the fact his centre-back partner, Antonio Silva, could leave as well.
Silva is a key target for the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea and will recoup a higher transfer fee than Morato. Benfica would not allow both players to leave, so Tottenham’s chances of signing Morato depend on whether any club matches Silva’s €100 million asking price.
