Tottenham round-up: Kyle Walker replacement identified; Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic on radar; fixtures throw up early Chelsea clash

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According to reports in the Telegraph, Tottenham have lined up Portuguese defender Ricardo Pereira as a suitable replacement should Kyle Walker leave the club this summer.

Sky Sports reported yesterday that the 26-year-old England international is set to begin talks with Manchester City this week, and Mauricio Pochettino has wasted no time sourcing a new right-back.

Pereira, a 23-year-old who has been playing his football for Nice over the past two seasons, on-loan from Porto, has developed exceptionally quickly in France and has alerted the interest of Spurs.

His ability to play as a standard right-back, as a right-wing back or on the left-side of defence fits in nicely with Pochettino’s experimental system last season – although it will set him back around £20 million.

The danger for Tottenham will be having to battle against the European giants of Paris-Saint Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, but Pochettino is confident of securing his man.

Meanwhile, reports coming from Spain suggest that Tottenham are set to enter a large-scale battle for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic this summer transfer window.

Diario Gol claim that Tottenham have joined the likes of Arsenal, Inter Milan and AC Milan in showing their interest for the 23-year-old Croatian, with Pochettino looking to add some serious strength in depth.

Since arriving at the Bernabeu back in 2015 on a £25 million deal, Kovacic has struggled to break through into the Real Madrid first team under Zinedine Zidane and is growing evermore frustrated.

Despite making 27 appearances in all competitions as Los Blancos secured a La Liga and Champions League double, speculation has been growing this summer that the Croat could seek a move away.

However, the report suggests that a move to England – whether to Tottenham or North London rivals Arsenal – is the less viable option, with a return to Italy deemed most likely should he move.

Aside from transfer speculation, Tottenham will face the visit of fierce rivals Chelsea in their first match at new home Wembley Stadium after the 2017/18 Premier League fixtures were announced today.

In a tough opening run of matches, the North London side will face Chelsea (19 August), Everton (9 September), Liverpool (21 October) and Manchester United (28 October) all before November comes.

An opening day visit to St James’ Park – the first time they will travel to the North-East since a 5-1 defeat to the Magpies two years ago – will see Spurs face the test of newly-promoted Newcastle.

Other matches to put in the diary come with the North London derbies against Arsenal, with the away match being played on November 18 before the reverse fixture at Wembley on February 10.

Spurs face a favourable ending to the season should they still be in with a shout of challenging for the title, with Brighton, Watford, West Brom and Leicester City making up their final four matches.

For a full list of Tottenham’s 2017/18 Premier League fixtures, click here.

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