Reported £43m Spurs target dropped from squad; manager hints at ‘tension’

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Boubakary Soumare, a player previously linked with Tottenham Hotspur amongst other big sides, appears to be the subject of “tension” between himself and Lille, as reported in L’Equipe.

The 20-year-old midfielder is believed to have admirers across Europe, including Jose Mourinho’s Spurs, as reported by the likes of L’Equipe.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Valencia have also been linked with Soumare, according to The Sun.

Eventually, the January transfer window shut with Soumare staying put at the Stade Pierre Mauroy – but since then, a player who featured heavily for Christophe Galtier’s side has found himself out of the XI.

As shown on Transfermarkt, Lille’s games in February so far have seen Soumare either left on the bench or, in the case of the last match, the loss to Marseille, out of the matchday squad entirely.

Lille head coach Galtier has since broken his silence on Soumare’s absence, telling L’Equipe: “There is a situation at the club that I do not comment on.

“In seasons, there can be tension between a player and his club. We’ll settle this internally and find a solution. Under these conditions, I therefore decided to work on two other options this week.”

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Tottenham are believed to still be in the hunt for midfielders this summer, Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell being linked with Spurs this week (Daily Mail).

Soumare is an impressive all-action midfielder who has shown he’s capable of producing the goods at both ends of the pitch.

Tottenham also have recent history with Lille – Joao Sacramento and Nuno Santos leaving the French club for Spurs at the end of last year, with Galtier not particularly pleased (Metro).

While any talk of “tension” between player and club would normally be concerning for a reported suitor, you simply don’t know what could be happening behind the scenes.

Rated at £43million (Buzz Sport), boasting talent and well known by Mourinho’s new coaches, Soumare certainly looks like he’d be an asset for the North Londoners.