Harry Kane Tottenham replacement named and the task facing Daniel Levy before transfer deadline
Former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy spoke to football.london about Spurs’ search for a new attacker following Harry Kane’s transfer to Bayern Munich
Danny Murphy has called on Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham to signnson prior to the summer transfer deadline. On the lookout for a new option in attack after Harry Kane’s big-money switch to Bayern Munich, football.london reported on Monday that Spurs are expected to make a move for the Nottingham Forest ace before the window closes.
Excelling in Steve Cooper’s Forest team ever since returning from his impressive loan spell with Lincoln City, the Wales international played a major role in the East Midlands club retaining their place in the Premier League last campaign with ten goals and three assists in all competitions. Subject of a rejected bid from Brentford last month, Chelsea have also been linked with the 22-year-old in what remains of the transfer window
Having experience of playing as a central striker and also on the wing, Johnson would give Postecoglou plenty of choice when it comes to his Tottenham team. Amid their hunt for a new attacking option, Murphy believes the Forest star would be perfect for the Lilywhites.
“Yes I do. I really like him,” said the former England international in an exclusive interview with football.london, courtesy of Full Circle with bet365. “[He’s] super quick, fearless, first year in the Premier League showed loads of quality, scares people with his ability to run with the ball and run in behind.
“The more chances he gets the more he will score in a better team. I like his flexibility in terms of he can play wide, do his defending as he’s not lazy, he’s not a luxury. Yeah, I think that works.”
When it comes to finding the perfect man to fill Kane’s shoes, Murphy feels that Tottenham are going to find it incredibly hard and may have to think outside the box. Stating that Tottenham need to be clever and not just rush in and make the wrong move, the former Liverpool midfielder believes that a versatile option rather than an out-and-out No.9 could be the way to go.
READ MORE:Ange Postecoglou has already hinted at Tottenham changes vs Bournemouth as he plots masterplan
“It’s a really difficult one because if you’re not going to spend all the Harry Kane money then you’re going to be looking for someone who is going to be happy to fight for the role or come off the bench,” he explained.
“It might take some thinking outside the box of maybe a loan move or somebody young who we don’t know too much about. United have taken a gamble on the young lad [Rasmus Hojlund] from Atalanta for example. So there isn’t a name that springs to mind.
“If I was in charge of Tottenham, I would go down the let’s-not-panic-and-waste-any-money route as we have got Brazil’s No.9 and why don’t we try bring someone in on loan who can supplement the strikeforce and maybe play wide as well.
When Kane was injured previously, Son came in and scored a lot of goals. What a great replacement Son was playing through the middle. You’ve got Son who can do it, you’ve got Richarlison who can do it, so maybe it’s bringing in another wide player. Maybe it’s not a striker, maybe it’s someone else.
“I think they just have to be clever and not rush in and held to ransom to spend all that money or too much of it on a striker that isn’t better than Richarlison. Let’s be honest, the market for strikers is not great at the moment, there’s not that many out there.
“I’d be tempted to keep my powder dry for now if I was Spurs and maybe look for a little loan move or a younger guy. The scouting networks are all over the world now, someone who is happy to fight for the role, who is young and willing to learn. A loan move could be the way forward.”
