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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dom Smith and Simon Collings

Tottenham want to sign ‘at least one’ new centre-back, Ange Postecoglou confirms

Tottenham want to sign “at least one” new centre-back this summer, manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed, amid interest in Edmond Tapsoba, Micky van de Ven and Tosin Adarabioyo.

Postecolgou is determined to ensure Spurs start the new season with a defence that can compete at the top of the Premier League. They conceded 63 league goals last term — with only five teams letting in more.

Spurs are close to signing Blackburn’s 18-year-old Ashley Phillips is understood to be close to a move, but is not expected to count towards the need for a first-team centre-back.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Tapsoba and Wolfsburg’s Van de Ven two are two key targets, and there remains long-standing interest in Adarabioyo, who favours leaving Fulham this summer.

Speaking to reporters in Singapore over attempts to sign a new centre-back, Postecoglou said: “We’re looking to bring in at least one.”

Asked whether it has been a summer of knock-backs in the market for defenders, he added: “No frustration — it’s just the football world. I’ve been around long enough to know how it works.

“I wish it could be like my wife and Amazon where we get a delivery every day, but no frustration.”

Tottenham are in Singapore for the final leg of their pre-season tour and will face Lion City Sailors tomorrow.

Postecoglou was once again quizzed on Harry Kane’s future this morning, but he said there was no update.

“I deal with what’s before me and if something like that becomes something I need to consider it will hit my desk,” he said. “But at the moment there’s nothing that’s changed from a couple of days ago.”

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