According to Simon Peach, Southampton are eyeing a move for Totthenham Hotspur‘s Japhet Tanganga after pulling out of a possible loan move for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Southampton Keen on Tanganga After Pulling out of Ainsley Maitland-Niles deal
Busy Day for the Saints With Incomings and Outgoings
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly weighing up whether to let Japhet Tanganga leave on loan on deadline day to allow him a chance at regular first team football. The 21-year-old defender is keen to gain Premier League experience and wants regular playing opportunities. Tanganga has only made seven appearances for Spurs this season. He was an unused substitute in their recent loss to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex.
Southampton join a number of names interested in the youngster, West Bromwich Albion being another who are keen.
Mourinho has frequently experimented with his back line, but Tanganga remains out of favour. However, with Tottenham still in both domestic cup competitions, and entering the latter stages of the Europa League, they may need to keep hold of the young defender.
The Spurs academy graduate really impressed towards the back end of last season but has struggled to push his way into Mourinho’s immediate plans.
Busy Deadline Day at St Mary’s
It appears that Southampton’s pursuit for Ainsley Maitland-Niles is all but over. Rumoured problems with the players representatives have left the Saints frustrated. The club will now look elsewhere and pursue other deals before the 11pm deadline.
A loan deal for the Arsenal man would have paved the way for Yan Valery to complete a move to Birmingham. However, even with the Maitland-Niles deal dead, Valery’s move to Birmingham is now at an advanced stage.
This would suggest Southampton are quietly confident of completing a deal in the defensive area before the end of the day. Tanganga is someone who is now top of their priority list given that other deals have fallen through.
There are also rumors linking Shane Long to Bournemouth. However, this deal would require a replacement, and with time running out such a move seems unlikely. There is interest in Josh King as a swap deal but nothing is concrete.
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