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Tottenham close to capturing Lyon talent Clinton N’Jie?

| 12.08.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Tottenham, 13/2 shots for a top four finish with Coral, may finally be about to solve some of their striker woes by drafting in Lyon academy graduate Clinton N’Jie.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino reportedly has several targets still on his radar as he looks to replenish his forward line, following an opening Premier League defeat to Manchester United.

Despite dominating early on, the Londoners lacked the speed and incisiveness to take advantage of the Red Devils’ slow start, and the Argentine boss will be more than aware of the danger of relying solely on sought-after hitman Harry Kane for another season.

More of a prospect at 21 than the finished product, N’Jie would likely be signed with a view to developing a future potent partnership with Kane, now 22, who took White Hart Lane by storm last season.

With Spurs apparently resolved not to let their star sharpshooter depart, 11-capped Cameroon international N’Jie, who can play on either flank as well as at centre forward, would add vital pace to Pochettino’s frontline and complement predatory Kane.

Soccer - Ligue 1 - Lyon v Saint Etienne - Stade de Gerland

According to reports in France, the capital club (16/1 to lift the Europa League) have already agreed a fee for the forward, and could fork out around £10m plus add-ons to lure him from Lyon to White Hart Lane.

As prize asset Alexandre Lacazette has inked a new deal at the Stade de Gerland, there is space for N’Jie, who made 30 Ligue 1 outings last campaign, striking seven times and adding eight assists, to move on.

Should the move materialise, it seems Spurs’ summer recruitment drive has finally been sparked, with Pochettino also aiming to add a more experienced attacker in addition to N’Jie.

Glimpse N’Jie in action:

Premier League proven Javier Hernandez is one mooted target, but could prove tough to poach until Manchester United find a new marksman themselves.

Meanwhile, following striker Salomon Rondon’s expensive arrival at The Hawthorns, Tottenham could again try to reunite Kane with England Under-21 teammate Saido Berahino, though reports suggest the Burundi-born forward’s hefty £25m pricetag is still putting Pochettino off.

White Hart Lane may also welcome a new midfield addition, as Spurs seek to strengthen another problem position, having had to field defender Eric Dier as an anchorman against Man Utd. With young options Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason still learning their craft, Tottenham are also said to be tracking Borussia Dortmund battler Sven Bender.

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Author

Holly Thackeray

Holly is a member of the content team, and can often be found on the sports desk writing about favourite topics Serie A and East Asian footballing nations. A recent darts convert, she is also a fully-fledged member of Barney's Army and a proud Leeds-born Manchester United fan.