Tottenham are reportedly attempting to strike a deal for Gent striker Gift Orban as Ange Postecoglu looks to bolster his attacking reinforcements following Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich. Richarlison led the line away to Brentford as Spurs drew 2-2 on their first Premier League game of the season, but more firepower is expected to arrive before the transfer window closes on September 1.
The 21-year-old could move to north London in a deal that may cost as much as £26million, a quarter of what Daniel Levy received for selling the England captain as the Nigerian is seen as a player with immense potential. He has clearly impressed Postecoglu, but the Australian boss may be further enticed by the forward’s attitude.
Orban is likely to come in as Richarlison’s understudy, but has previously shown that without regular gametime he could cause an issue behind the scenes. Postecoglu will want his players to be pushing for a starting spot, but may also have one eye on Orban’s reaction if he is deemed below Richarlison in the pecking order.
During Gent’s 3-1 win over KVC Westerlo in April, Orban was named on the bench and brought on with 14 minutes to play. He scored his side’s third goal shortly after taking to the pitch, but his post-match comments spoke volumes after heading straight down to the dressing room instead of applauding the fans.
“That I started on the bench? A decision by the coach,” Orban told Het Laatste Nieuws. “I still feel in top shape. And it’s not because I didn’t score in the past games that I didn’t help the team, right? I did nothing wrong. Honestly? I don’t think I deserve to sit on the bench. I am a player who has to grow in a match from the start. That’s when I’m at my best.”
Postecoglu has already insisted that there is a “real clarity” in Spurs’ recruitment this summer, as the club will more than likely be aware of Orban’s ability to rock the boat if he does not get his way. However, the Aussie may want someone of his mentality in order to push themselves into consideration.
“The reality is there are so many good footballers out there and sometimes the difference between them is very, very small in terms of what they can bring,” Postecoglu said as he opened up on Spurs’ transfer dealings.
“But I need to picture them in my team. Do they have the characteristics that I’ll need for them to play the kind of football I want because obviously the way we set up is different to other clubs and what we ask of players in certain positions is different maybe to what they have been doing.
“So I have a real clarity when we’re looking to bring in a player and what we require. With the players we’ve brought in that’s what we’ve tried to veer towards. The scouting departments and people involved have brought players to me that I know are going to fit into my system.”
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1802948/Tottenham-transfer-news-Gift-Orban-Ange-Postecoglu
