This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Jose Mourinho is attempting to convince young defender Japhet Tanganga to sign a new contract at Tottenham Hotspur, per Football Insider.
What’s the word?
The 20-year-old is reported to have rejected the club’s first offer of a new deal, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Football Insider reports that Mourinho is “rolling out the red carpet” as he looks to convince the defender to stay in north London.
He has yet to make his Premier League debut at the club but he has reportedly been told that he will receive more first-team opportunities in the coming months.
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A fine player
Spurs can’t afford to lose their youngsters.
Tanganga has been an ever-present figure for the U23s, making 45 appearances in total, and is an England youth international, playing at every level between U16 and U23.
He was also a member of the U17 side that won the Toulon Tournament and Spurs are said to be ready to go back to the negotiating table with a fresh offer.
With Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen both having contracts that expire at the end of the season, it makes sense for Spurs to keep Tanganga around, particularly with the possibility of the two Belgians departing.
They should make him an offer that he cannot refuse.
Meanwhile, Spurs are scouting a Kosovo international before the January transfer window.
