Tottenham are eyeing up a move for Benfica defender Morato after Ange Postecoglou drew up a five-player shortlist, per a report.
According to Record, Spurs have liked the centre-back for some time now and sent scouts to keep an eye on him in the Lisbon derby, where he played as a left-back.
The biggest hurdle for Postecoglou’s side is that Benfica are desperate to keep the 22-year-old, who has a contract until 2027.
The defender signed a contract extension last summer and has a €100m release clause in his current contract, which could put a damper on Tottenham’s plans. Benfica are also reportedly unwilling to negotiate a deal in January.
This is the first time Benfica have had to deal with the Premier League’s interest in the centre-back. The Portuguese club resisted receiving offers for Morato this summer. Fulham would have been offered €25 million, while Nottingham Forest would have made an offer of €30 million.
The Brazilian reportedly tried to convince his current club to accept the transfer but ultimately stayed in Portugal.
Benfica’s reluctance to settle for an offer this summer, when they have had plenty of time to find replacements, means that Spurs will likely have to make a very hefty offer for Benfica to match a sale.
So far this season, the Brazil U-23 foreigner has made ten appearances and seven of them.
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Eric Dier has struggled in London this season and has fallen down the pecking order under Ange Postecoglou. As a result, an exit could very well be on the cards.
The finisher has entered the final year of his contract with Tottenham and could leave for a payment in the January window or released at the end of the season.
Dier, who previously played in Portugal with Sporting CP, has regularly been tipped with a move abroad and there have even been suggestions that he could return to Lisbon.
Bayern Munich and Roma are also expected to take Dier in Europe. Juventus have also reportedly added Dier to their shortlist of players.
Juve Dier have the leadership skills and technical qualities to be compatible with Max Allegri’s set-up. But the defender, who can also play in midfield, will want to be patient as he has been warned that Tottenham will not let him leave unless he has signed a replacement.
If Spurs can get a deal for Morato over the line it could very well open the door for Dier to secure a January or summer move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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