Injury crisis – Five centre-backs Tottenham could sign this January worth €25m or less

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Spurs 15th in Premier League 

©TM/IMAGO

Things went from bad to worse for Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham on Sunday, as his Spurs team were taken apart in the first-half against relegation candidates Everton at Goodison Park. After a second half fight-back, they eventually succumbed to a 3-2 loss to the Toffees, which leaves them 15th in the Premier League table. Spurs have now won just one league game since November, and that was a victory against bottom-placed Southampton.

When assessing the reasons behind their calamitous fall, it’s hard to look past the injury crisis that has struck Postecoglou’s defence. Both first-choice centre-backs in Micky van De Ven and Cristian Romero have been unavailable, and with Spurs’ high-line such a key component of their play under their Australian manager, Radu Drăgușin and make-shift centre-half Archie Gray have often looked severely exposed. It looks likely Tottenham will have to dip further into the market this January, but having already spent significant amounts of money over the past few seasons, it’s unlikely they will be able to break the bank. The club have spent over €600m in the last three seasons and could face breaching the Premier League’s PSR rules if they spend heavily again. Here at Transfermarkt, we have picked out five centre-halves with a market value of €25m or less that Tottenham could target this winter.

Milan Skriniar – PSG – €15m

According to reports, Tottenham are eyeing a move for PSG defender Milan Skriniar to address their injury crisis this January. The 29-year-old established himself as one of Europe’s leading centre-backs during his time at Inter Milan, though his PSG career has not quite gone to plan. The Slovakian joined the Parisians on a free transfer in 2023, but has made only five Ligue 1 appearances under Luis Enrique this season and not played a single minute in the Champions League. He has a current market value of €15m, with PSG thought to be willing to loan him out this winter. One potentially stumbling block could be his lucrative wages, which are reported to be north of €350k a week.

Tosin Adarabioyo – Chelsea – €20m

Another player with more Premier League experience who has been linked with Spurs this month is Chelsea centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo. The 27 year old was brought in on a free transfer from Fulham in the summer, but has had limited game-time at Stamford Bridge to date. However, with Chelsea’s first-choice centre-back pairing of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill currently injured, Adarabioyo has begun getting more minutes and has actually scored three goals in his last three games for the Blues. Chelsea may also be hesitant to do business with a London rival.

Fikayo Tomori – AC MIlan – €22m

According to reports, one of the centre-backs who have caught Tottenham’s attention is AC Milan star Fikayo Tomori. The England international has only started 12 of Milan’s 20 Serie A matches this season, and could be open to a move to back to the Premier League. He also possesses pace which is a key attribute in Postecoglou’s system. Tomori has a current market value of €22m, and was signed from Chelsea by the Italian giants for €35.3m back in 2021. He has made over 150 appearances for AC Milan.

Jarrel Quansah – Liverpool – €22m

Since being dragged at half-time in Liverpool’s opening Premier League game against Ipswich back in August, the 21 year old Jarell Quansah has played just 180 league minutes. His only start since then was at right-back in a 3-3 draw with Newcastle. The ball-playing centre-half could perhaps look to push for a move away from Anfield this winter, and Tottenham could be a potentially ideal location where he would be guaranteed more game-time. However, with Liverpool firm favourites for the Premier League title, Quansah may want to stick around and get a winners medal at the club he came through at.

Thomas Kristensen – Udinese – €4.5m

A potential cheaper option who has been strongly rumoured with a move to Spurs in recent days is Udinese centre-back Thomas Kristensen. The Dane has a market value of just €4.5m, and according to reports in England, both Tottenham and Leicester are chasing the 23 year old, with Juventus also though to be interested. He has played 10 Serie A games for Udinese this term, and was signed for €5m from Danish club Aarhus in the summer of 2023.