Tottenham Hostpur are the latest Premier League club to join the chase for Villarreal’s 26-year-old striker Cedric Bakambu, according to Marca.
Bakambu, who has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the last couple of years, poured cold water on further speculation by signing a new five-year deal with the Spanish outfit in July this year.
But this could have been part of a plan to boost his transfer market value in bid to deter interest from West Ham and Newcastle at the time. According to reports, the Hammers saw their club record bid of £22 million rejected by Villarreal prior to the player signing the new deal.
Bakambu’s recent form, which includes 16 goals in 22 appearances this season, has revived Premier League interest with Tottenham Hotspur reported to be willing to splash the clash for the player. Mauricio Pochettino is thought to be on the lookout for someone to partner Harry Kane up front.
But with Kane rumoured to be La Liga bound in the summer of 2018, this could be all part of a preparation plan to find a full-time replacement. In truth, the Spurs boss would want to keep his talisman if he is to push the North London club into a title-challenger position next season, but a deal for Bakambu could work either way.
Should Spurs want Bakambu, however, they will have to battle Manchester United for his signature as Jose Mourinho is rumoured to have become disillusioned with Romelu Lukaku’s lack of form up front. Bakambu himself sparked rumours that he may be heading to rainy Manchester following a tweet involving David De Gea and Eric Bailly earlier this month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StgGGm6FfiY
Bakambu would fit either clubs well by the look of it. He has a well-developed nose for goals, having scored 79 goals in 225 career games. He is tall, strong, and possesses the technique and blistering speed required for Premier League football.
The striker is currently enjoying his form at the Estadio de la Ceramica as Villarreal sit sixth in the current La Liga standings. But should any offers come from Spurs or United in January, he might find the pull of Champions League football too much to resist.
His current contract with the Spanish outfit runs out in 2022.
