Tottenham boss wants £70m-rated Real Madrid ace – Would the Brazilian ace be a good signing?

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Tottenham must plot a summer move for Real Madrid’s Eder Militao

According to El Desmarque (h/t The Express), Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has been in contact with Real Madrid about the possibility of a summer deal for Eder Militao.

Eder Militao, 22, has struggled for game time at Real Madrid since arriving in a £45million deal from FC Porto over the summer. He has played only nine La Liga games so far under Zinedine Zidane as the defender finds himself behind the likes of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the pecking order.

Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Eder Militao gestures during the Spanish league football match RCD Mallorca against Real Madrid CF at the Iberostar estadi stadium in Palma de Mallorca on October 19, 2019. (Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s Brazilian defender Eder Militao gestures during the Spanish league football match RCD Mallorca against Real Madrid CF at the Iberostar estadi stadium in Palma de Mallorca on October 19, 2019. (Getty Images)

There is already talk of Real selling Militao at the end of the season and El Desmarque (h/t The Express) claim that they’ll let him leave for £70m. However, Mourinho is confident he can get the asking price lowered significantly and will continue to monitor the player’s situation, the report adds.

Tottenham were thrashed 3-0 by RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday, losing 4-0 on aggregate to exit the competition at the round of 16 stage. They now face a real fight on their hands to return to the competition next season as Mourinho’s side, after the 1-1 draw with Burnley over the weekend, are seven points below fourth-placed Chelsea.

The North London club have been uncharacteristically poor at the back this season, conceding 40 goals in 29 games. Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez have all failed to carry on the good form of last season. Alderweireld signed a new deal earlier in the season and will probably remain Mourinho’s first-choice defender during the 2020/21 season.

However, Vertonghen is out of contract at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium at the end of the season. Even if the Belgian does stick around, he will be 33 in April and Tottenham must consider a younger option for the future.

Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Mason Mount of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on February 22, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)
Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Mason Mount of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on February 22, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)

With Sanchez erratic when given opportunities and Juan Foyth yet to make an impression under Mourinho, Tottenham must prioritise bringing in defensive reinforcements during the summer window. To that end, Eder Militao would be a good option.

While Militao may be out of favour at Real Madrid, he is certainly a talented player who has impressed in his senior career, especially with FC Porto. In one season with Porto, the defender made 47 appearances across all competitions that actually earned him a move to Real.

After making his national team debut back in September 2018, the 22-year-old has racked up eight appearances. Militao was a part of the Brazil squad that won the 2019 Copa America, which is no mean feat for a young defender.

Spurs manager Jose Mourinho on the touchline. (Getty Images)
Spurs manager Jose Mourinho on the touchline. (Getty Images)

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The Brazilian is also capable of playing as a holding midfielder or as a right-back and such versatility could come handy for a shrewd tactician like Mourinho. Militao’s addition to the Tottenham squad would also bring healthy competition, which can be fruitful for the team’s progress.

Verdict

Tottenham need someone who can come straight into the starting line-up and command the entire back-line. Even though Militao has not lived up to his massive price-tag at Santiago Bernabeu, he could be that player for Mourinho’s Spurs if he shows the kind of form he displayed for FC Porto.