Tottenham should perhaps be looking at the mess in Barcelona and pick up some of the (discounted) pieces.
It looks like since the 8-2 disaster, Barcelona have accelerated plans to make their squad more youthful. Now, they appear to be offering out Gerard Pique to Premier League club, including Fulham [via The Sun] – the report also suggests Fulham have made a concrete bid – so if Spurs were to make a bid, that would surely trump Scott Parker’s side.
Pique might be 33 but he has a huge amount of experience and still clearly has some talent. Mourinho will need to be smart with his signings but amongst younger players like Hojberg, Jose will need some winners and leaders and Gerard could certainly be that.
It’s unlikely Pique would cost much, with Barcelona more likely to be happy to just get the Spaniard off the wage bill.
Spurs certainly look to be in the market for a defender this summer. After Vertonghen left the club on a free transfer earlier in the summer, the club do look light in central defence. The likes of Milan Skrniar have been heavily linked, but Spurs will be tight on cash, as the signing of Joe Hart highlighted.
Pique is a player who could come in with very low cost and one who, with the right partner, still has the ability to perform at the highest level. In Barcelona’s current system, he had little to no protection from his full backs and midfield – at Spurs, Mourinho would set the team up to allow Pique to do what he does best.
We’re yet to see an official Pique to Tottenham link, but it is one to look out for as the club aim to get some efficient deals over the line before the Premier League kicks off again next month.
