Five stars on Mourinho’s agenda for Spurs project

Five players Mourinho could target for Tottenham in January transfer window including Koulibaly, Dybala Fernandes, Anthony and Chapma

IT’S the dawn of a new era for serial runners-up Spurs and that could shortly see the arrival of a host of new players.

Five players Jose Mourinho could target for Spurs in January transfer window including Koulibaly, Dybala and Fernandes https://t.co/oYM8onuGCt

— The Sun – Tottenham (@SunTottenham) November 20, 2019

They have sacked fan-favourite Mauricio Pochettino after a shocking start to the Premier League season.

The Special One claims he is delighted to be working with Tottenham’s current crop of stars.

And he is also prepared to help bring through young stars from the academy.

But Mourinho has always enjoyed splashing the cash in the transfer window.

And he could soon be deploying a new-look line-up as the January market approaches.

Here, football pundits look at five potential signings for Spurs under their new boss.

PAULO DYBALA:
Juventus star, Paulo Dybala, would be an ideal replacement for contract rebel Christian Eriksen
THE versatile Argentine forward was a top target for Tottenham over the summer.

Spurs were hoping to sign Dybala from Juventus for a big fee late in the window.

But the move collapsed at the last moment, leaving Pochettino empty-handed.

However, Christian Eriksen looks certain to quit the club on a free transfer when his contract expires in 2020.

And Dybala, 25, would be the ideal replacement, with his technique and vision making him one of the best attacking playmakers in world football.

BRUNO FERNANDES:
Mourinho is a big fan of Sporting Lisbon’s midfield goal machine Bruno Fernandes

THE central midfielder was tipped to join Manchester United over the summer after scoring 20 goals and assisting 13 more for Sporting Lisbon last season.

Fernandes, 25, has since emerged as a target for Spurs as they seek a goal-scoring threat from deep.

The Portugal international also has a big fan in Mourinho, with the Special One telling Eleven Sports in June: “I was surprised by his season. It was easy to predict quality, he is a very good player.

“But he scored a very high number of goals for a midfielder. It shows you need to have instinct and quality to score and he has it all.

“He strikes the ball well, heads well, cool when he is one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He finds space in the penalty area. It’s all there.”

KALIDOU KOULIBALY:
Mourinho failed with a £95m bid for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly during his time at Man Utd

MOURINHO always builds from the back, but Spurs’ defence is all over the place.

Toby Alderweireld, a target for Jose at United, looks set to join Eriksen in jumping ship when his deal expires at the end of the season.

While Jan Vertonghen has failed to nail down a regular slot this term as he approaches his 33rd birthday.

Koulibaly, 28, has proven himself to be one of world football’s best centre-backs during his five-and-a-half years at Napoli, and could be available for a reasonable fee due to the club’s recent problems off the field.

Indeed, he will surely be cheaper than the £95million bid Mourinho submitted during his time at Old Trafford, with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirming last year: “Mourinho wanted him, we rejected £95m.”

DECLAN RICE:
Mourinho wanted to bring West Ham anchorman Declan Rice to Old Trafford

ANOTHER Jose target from his United spell, Rice is one of English football’s most promising youngsters.

The West Ham ace, 20, is already a regular for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.

And he possesses all the traits Mourinho desires in a holding midfielder.

Rice was scouted several times by United during the Special One’s tenure.

And he may decide the time is right to leave West Ham after their misfortunes under Manuel Pellegrini this season.

YOUCEF ATAL:
Chelsea target and Nice star Youcef Atal would immediately solve Spurs’ right-back problem

SPURS are seriously lacking in the right-back department after failing to bring in a replacement for Kieran Trippier after they sold him to Atletico Madrid in the last window.

Serge Aurier is not disciplined enough to make the role his own, while Kyle Walker-Peters and Juan Foyth are too injury-prone to be consistent.

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He is rated so highly that his French club could demand as much as £35m for his signature.

Read Also:Jose Mourinho to earn double of Pochettino’s salary at Tottenham

But Mourinho loves to have reliable full-backs who can make an impact in both boxes, and he could be especially keen to move for Atal knowing that former club Chelsea are also reportedly interested.