Tottenham Hotspur’s academy graduate Japhet Tanganga looks like he is on his way out and is set to join Serie A giants AC Milan on an initial loan deal which will include a buy-back clause. The Rossoneri are looking for defensive reinforcements this summer with the Stefano Pioli short of options ahead of the new season which commences next month. Simon Kjaer will turn 34 later this year and needs a solid replacement with Tanganga viewed as the ideal option to replace the Dane. Spurs manager Antonio Conte has reportedly given his consent to the defender departing the North London club with the Italian content with his center-back options.
Let’s analyze how Tanganga would fit in at AC Milan and whether he is the right man:
Japhet Tanganga – Player Profile
Tanganga was promoted to the Spurs’ first team when Jose Mourinho was in charge in the 2019/20 season. The Englishman is a right-footed center-back who can also play as a right-wing back/right back. At 6 feet, Japhet Tanganga is a solid presence at the back and is good in the air. In 11 appearances last season in the Premier League, the Englishman averaged 2.33 aerials won per 90 which is amongst the 94 percentile in the Premier League and 3.67 clearances per 90 which puts him at the 99 percentile in the league compared to other center-backs.
Exciting Tomori-Tanganga defensive duo
AC Milan already have Fikayo Tomori at the club who joined last summer from Chelsea and has proved his critics wrong significantly. The 24-year-old was one of the best center-backs in Serie A last season helping the club win the league last season. Tanganga’s arrival would complement Tomori who lacks the aerial presence at the back and usually relies on second balls to recover the ball.
Author’s Take
Tanganga is the most viable option AC Milan have to buy in the transfer window given he would arrive on an initial loan with an obligation to buy which is likely to be around 30 million pounds similar to what Fikayo Tomori has in his contract with Chelsea holding the buy-back option. It’s a win-win scenario for the player and the two clubs as the defender would get regular game time to develop, AC Milan would have their center-back in place which fits in their cash-strapped budget and Spurs would avoid losing a talented defender permanently with the buy-back clause in place.
