In the perpetual swirl of the summer window, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly casting a long look toward Naples. The name on the lips of the Italian p...
In the perpetual swirl of the summer window, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly casting a long look toward Naples. The name on the lips of the Italian press, relayed by GoalZaza, is that of Vanja Milinkovic Savic, the 29 year old Serbian goalkeeper who appears to be the odd man out at the Stadio Maradona. With Alex Meret seemingly entrenched as Antonio Conte's first choice, the veteran shot stopper faces a season of splinters if he stays. For a man who needs regular minutes at this stage of his career, the writing is on the wall in bold capital letters.This is not a panic buy by Daniel Levy and Co. It is a calculated piece of business that reeks of strategic nous. Think about it. Tottenham need depth behind Guglielmo Vicario, but they also need a keeper who can step in without a catastrophic drop in distribution or command of the box. Milinkovic Savic, at 6 foot 8 inches, is a physical specimen who dominates his six yard area and possesses the kind of long range kicking that can ignite quick transitional play. He is not a flashy name, but he is a reliable pair of hands with Serie A experience and a point to prove.The real intrigue, however, lies in the reported swap plan taking shape. Italian sources suggest that Napoli might not demand a pure cash fee. Instead, they could be open to a player exchange, a move that would see a Tottenham asset head in the opposite direction. Who might that be The mind goes to a fringe figure in Ange Postecoglou's squad, perhaps a midfielder who needs a fresh start or a defender who does not fit the high line. Let's be honest, Napoli's squad needs depth in several areas, and this type of barter deal could grease the wheels.From a pure tactical fit, Milinkovic Savic is not a sweeper keeper in the mold of Vicario. He is more of a traditionalist, a man who stays on his line and relies on his frame to narrow angles. That is fine for cup competitions or as a situational option. The question for Postecoglou is whether that lack of mobility outside the box becomes a liability in a system that pushes so high. It is a risk, but one that comes with a low fee and high experience.For the player himself, this is a chance to escape the shadow of Meret and reset his career in the Premier League. He knows English football from his time with Torino's bench No, but he has watched it closely. He is hungry, and hungry goalkeepers make saves that keep managers in jobs. Tottenham need that edge. They need someone who will not flinch when the pressure mounts during squeaky bum time. This move makes sense on paper. The real test will be whether the clubs can agree on the swap piece.Keep your eyes on this one. It is the kind of clever, under the radar business that separates the contenders from the also rans. If Levy pulls this off with a tidy swap deal, it could be one of the smartest moves of the window. If not, expect Tottenham to scour the market for another veteran who can handle the heat.
