Is AC Milan’s Suso really needed at Tottenham next season?

Add as preferred source on Google

If reports in the Mirror on Thursday morning are anything to go by, then Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has allegedly outlined AC Milan midfielder Suso as a transfer priority this summer.

It is understood that the Argentine has outlined a need for more innovative play inside the opposition third of the field and is now looking to recruit at least one more attacking midfielder.

And with Suso refusing to be tied down by the Italian side – despite their efforts to offer him an improved deal to stay at the San Siro – there’s growing potential for a return to England’s top-flight.

Do Tottenham really need another attacking midfielder?

For a team that already includes the calibre of Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son it seems somewhat bizarre that Pochettino has outlined a need to add more creativity into the side next year.

Between the trio they created 206 chances in the Premier League alone – with Eriksen contributing over half of those – and the Dane produced the second most assists (15) too behind Kevin de Bruyne.

Add to this the fact that Tottenham were actually the highest scorers in the Premier League last season with 86 goals – more than Chelsea’s tally of 85 – and it seems that attack isn’t their problem.

But in spite of what the statistics suggest this is still clearly not enough, with Spurs falling short in their title pursuit and failing to impose themselves in Europe, struggling in the Champions League.

And this could be where Pochettino’s thinking is; to become a real force they need to challenge on all fronts, and added strength in depth can only work in their favour as the season plays out.

Suso’s development in Italy could actually lend him well to a starring role at White Hart Lane, with his clever thinking in the middle of the park and execution to pick out a pass almost Eriksen-esque.

How likely is a switch to White Hart Lane?

AC Milan are reportedly keen on keeping the 23-year-old midfielder on a long-term deal and, with two years still on his current deal, it could take a fairly big price tag to tempt them into selling him.

Plus with the Mirror also reporting that Everton’s Ross Barkley is firmly placed on their radar as the summer window officially opens, it’s possible that he’s more of a priority to Spurs than Suso.

The Spaniard is very much a Pochettino style of player, and at just 23-years-old there’s plenty of time for him to develop as an all-rounder at Spurs, but there are perhaps more viable options.