Tottenham Hotspur have acted with rapidity to bring Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson to N17. A deal has not yet been wrapped up, but all the pointers lead to this one being completed before the end of the January transfer window.
There's no getting around the fact that Spurs have been abject once again in the Premier League, 14th after 22 games. Robertson, 31, is no longer the turbo-charged wideman that he once was, but he's excellent on the ball and brings a wealth of experience and leadership qualities.
Andy-Robertson-Liverpool-record-timeless
His range of passing and expertise in playing behind fleet-footed wingers suggests that Tottenham could hit the jackpot here, especially as he would serve as a mentor for the recently-signed Souza too.
Wilson Odobert will benefit, for sure, but the Lilywhites have an even bigger talent in their sights who could strike quite the partnership withe Scotland skipper.
Spurs lining up club-record forward
Odobert is an exciting talent, and his performances over the past few weeks for Tottenham have drawn plenty of plaudits. However, he has much still to learn.
It's probably fair to say that Spurs haven't yet replaced the legendary Heung-min Son, who jumped over the pond and signed for LAFC last summer, having won the Europa League last term.
In Yan Diomande, Frank could secure that new talisman. This week, Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas has revealed that the RB Leipzig winger is firmly on Spurs' radar, with Bayern Munich and Liverpool also keen.
However, the Ivorian's Bundesliga employers are looking for a jaw-dropping €100m (equating to £87m) fee, effectively closing the door on a possible departure this month.
Yan Diomande for RB Leipzig
This means Spurs can build toward what could be an extraordinary, club-record deal next summer, giving the 19-year-old Diomande the perfect place to foster his skills in the Premier League.
Why Diomande could thrive at Spurs
Diomande only joined RB Leipzig from Leganes last summer, but he's already scored seven goals and supplied three assists for his club, playing with a kind of gusto that bespeaks his elite potential.
yan-diomande-ivory-coast
A "monster" when taking on defenders with the ball, as has been claimed by analyst Marcus Bring, Diomande could even prove to be Robertson's new version of Sadio Mane, who forged quite the career in the Premier League with the Scotsman fuelling him from behind.
Diomande has spent most of his Bundesliga career so far on the right wing, but he's a right-footed player, and with such a natural aptitude in front of goal, it seems likely that he would end up playing down the left should he move to Spurs.
Look below at how Diomande compares this season to Mane, when the 33-year-old was at the peak of his powers in the Premier League.
Mane vs Diomande
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Shots (on target)*
Big chances missed
Accurate passes
Chances created*
Succ. dribbles*
Tackles*
Duels won*
Data via Sofascore
It's interesting to see the likeness, only deepening the argument that he would be a bona fide success in the Premier League.
With such energy and enthusiasm, Robertson would surely find it quite easy to dovetail into the Spurs system and supply the livewire in front of him. After all, the veteran has proved himself as one of the most talented playmakers in the Premier League, iconic down the flanks with Trent Alexander-Arnold under Jurgen Klopp's management.
Most Assists in PL History (defenders)
Player
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Andy Robertson
Leighton Baines
Antonio Valencia
Graeme Le Saux
Data via StatMuse
Diomande is young, but his unceasing output in carrying the ball forward, combined with a deadly ball-striking ability, all points toward him being a "generational talent", as asserted by journalist Bence Bocak, who Spurs cannot let pass them by.
In Diomande, Spurs really could land their own version of Mane, and that would surely be realised by a player like Robertson who knows how to service a rip-roaring attacking talent.
Robertson might not be the same player he once was when combining with Mane down the left flank at Anfield, but he still knows a few tricks, and could channel his ball-playing skills toward a truly exceptional talent in Diomande who shares with many a number of properties.
Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke Related
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Tottenham have found themselves lacking in attack under Thomas Frank this season.