Tottenham transfer news: Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus have both registered interest in Youssouf Fofana, the AC Milan midfielder thriving on loan at Sevilla, according to Fichajes. The Spanish outlet adds that Sevilla are taking steps to keep him, which sets up a three-way contest for a player Milan were content to send away in September.

Fofana had been frozen out at San Siro and nearly joined Lyon before Sevilla grabbed him on deadline day, on loan until June 2027 with no option to buy. Other reports say the Andalusians cannot afford his wages permanently.

Spurs lack bite in midfield

Spurs sit 10th with 12 points from 10 games after a 1-0 defeat at Leeds ended a three-match winning run, and Roberto De Zerbi admitted his side lacked “the right physicality in the duels”.

That is an awkward admission after spending more than £175m on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. Both are excellent on the ball, but neither is a natural screen. Yves Bissouma’s release and Pape Matar Sarr’s loan to Juventus have also left fewer ball-winners in the squad.

Fofana brings exactly that. The 27-year-old France international stands 6ft 1in and anchors the LaLiga side that wins the most duels and recovers the most balls. His limitations are just as obvious.

He offers little creativity, managed only two goals and three assists in 33 Serie A games last season, and came off against Getafe this month with a waist problem. Milan paid around £22m for him in 2024 and hold him under contract until 2028.

Tottenham transfer news: Should Tottenham make Fofana a summer priority?

Yes, but only at the right price. De Zerbi already has his passers. What he lacks is a midfielder who wins the ball back and holds his position, so Tonali can dictate while Fernandes pushes higher. Fofana does that job well, and the Leeds defeat showed how easily this Spurs side gets bullied without one.

Yet he turns 28 in January, will have little resale value and will never be the press-resistant six De Zerbi ideally wants. Milan also hold weak cards, having already shown he isn’t part of their plans, while Sevilla cannot fund a permanent move.

That puts Tottenham in a strong negotiating position. Around £20m makes him a sensible specialist signing, whereas anything near £30m means premium money for a squad role. Juventus’ interest shouldn’t drag Spurs into a bidding war, because the value here lies in buying a defensive specialist cheaply from a seller who no longer wants him.