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Tottenham in the front row to sign in-demand Belgian star
LaPresse

Tottenham are battling Juventus and Inter Milan for the signing of highly-rated Genoa defender Koni De Winter

Tottenham Hotspur need to bring in reinforcements in the summer if they want to enjoy a successful 2025/26 campaign.

The Europa League success must act as a springboard for the Lilywhites to undergo a massive squad revamp. The squad inherited by Thomas Frank is not good enough, as evidenced by their performances in the Premier League last season. Thus, Spurs need new players that could instantly elevate the quality of the starting XI as well as the entire squad.

With pre-season just on the horizon, the Lilywhites are already playing catch-up in the transfer market. They are set to welcome young defender Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale, and while the Japanese international is apparently going to be a part of the first-team squad, Tottenham require more quality and depth in defence after last campaign’s challenges.

Micky van de Ven is yet to prove his fitness across two seasons in North London, while Radu Dragusin is out for the foreseeable future following an ACL rupture back in February. In addition, Cristian Romero wants to test himself in La Liga amid interest from Atletico Madrid.

Genoa’s Koni De Winter has emerged as a target for Tottenham in a bid to bolster their defensive department. The 23-year-old, who was one of the club’s standout performers in the previous campaign, has made 57 appearances for Genoa and offers the versatility to play at centre-back as well as right-back.

Now, according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness), Spurs are in the ‘front row’ to sign Koni De Winter, having scouted him multiple times during the 2024/25 season. Genoa currently value the three-cap Belgium international at €30m, with Juventus and Inter Milan also keen.

De Winter has seen his stock soar since arriving at Genoa from Juventus in 2023. The North London club’s interest in the 23-year-old is understandable. They are trying their best to retain Romero for another season. But if the Argentinean international departs and joins Atletico Madrid, Spurs will need to recruit a reliable, quality centre-back to replace him in the squad.

And, De Winter, in that regard, could be ideal. The Belgian has the mix of technical attributes and physicality to thrive in Frank’s system at White Hart Lane. He’d complement the left-footed Van de Ven in defence whilst adding much-needed set-piece prowess. The Genoa star scoring thrice in the league last shows his ability to chip in with goals too.

If Tottenham’s medical team can manage his fitness well, De Winter could prove to be a bargain buy for €30m.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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