Spurs are keen to sign an “exclusive” £41m upgrade for Bentancur

It has been a season of mixed fortunes for Tottenham Hotspur this year. In the first ten games or so, they looked like one of the best teams in the Premier League, but in the end they finished just outside the Champions League places.

With the expectations of their pre-season and injury problems throughout the campaign, it would be fair to say that Ange Postecoglou has enjoyed a successful first year in North London, although Daniel Levy and Co will need to support him well in the coming months if they are to. to see him take the team forward in 2024/25.

The good news for fans is that, based on recent reports, that could happen, although the latest name to be moved to N17 could spell trouble for Rodrigo Bentancur.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to the latest report from Italy, Tottenham are very interested in Inter Milan's talented midfielder David Frattesi and could offer the player a chance 'in the coming weeks.'

That offer would include a fee of €30m – £26m – and an offer for full-back Emerson Royal, which, according to the report, would make the full transfer worth around €48m or £41m.

While the idea of ​​bringing in a new midfielder for a reasonable fee and finally getting rid of Royal sounds like a smart business move, the Lilywhites will have to contend with other interested parties, such as Roma and Atlético Madrid, which could complicate matters.

Although the Nerazzurri are not willing to sell, this looks like a deal to follow in the coming weeks, even if they get their man, that may not bode well for Bentancur's future prospects in the N17.

How Frattesi compares to Bentancur

Therefore, if Postecoglou can find his man in the summer, it is unlikely that he will come to England to sit on the bench, so he will be in direct competition with the club's other midfielders and Papa Matar Sarr showing great promise. at just 21 years old, the player most at risk of losing his place may be Bentancur.

Neither midfielder has played a prominent role in their teams this season. The Uruguayan played 1161 minutes in 25 games due to injury, while the Italian played 1555 minutes for Inter in 42 games as a substitute.

However, while the Rome-born star played 394 more minutes than Spurs' ace, he was more efficient, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists, compared to one goal and one assist.

That means the 24-year-old is averaging a goal involvement every 103 minutes from midfield, while the former Juventus star managed an average goal involvement every 580 minutes.

The comparison is one-sided when you look at the numbers below the two. While the Lilywhites ace comes out on top in continuous passing, shot-making actions, and passing accuracy, all at 90, he comes second best in many other relevant metrics.

For example, the 5 foot 10 Inter dynamo produces a high non-penalty expected goal and assist count, scores and assists real goals, produces continuous carries, goal-creating actions and takes a lot of shots and shots on target, all at 90 .

So, with Frattesi excelling in both raw output and subpar numbers, it's hard to disagree with reporter Wayne Girard's assessment that he “has something really special” about him.

So, while it may not bode well for Bentancur's long-term future at the club, Levy and Co must go all out to try and bring the 13-hole Italian to N17 this summer.