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Mauricio Pochettino must put Adrien Rabiot’s Tottenham snub behind him and sign one of the players Paris Saint-Germain are planning to lure as the French midfielder’s replacement, Southampton star Mario Lemina.
What’s the word?
Rabiot is set to leave the French capital in the summer, as the 23-year-old plans to see out his current contract and search for a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Clubs around Europe have been linked with the midfielder, including Tottenham Hotspur, but the French ace has since snubbed a possible move to north London.
The Sun are now reporting that Southampton star Mario Lemina is amongst a five-man shortlist being drawn up in Paris as club executives plot the club’s future spending.
Ajax wonderkid Frenkie de Jong, Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure and Everton’s Idrissa Gueye are amongst the other contenders for the reigning Ligue 1 holders.
It is suggested that De Jong is not the sole target, though, due to his growing interest elsewhere, and PSG are ready to test the Saints resolve with a £30million bid for Lemina.
The Gabon international arrived at St Mary’s in August 2017, and made 25 league appearances during his debut campaign.
CheekySport’s Joel claims Spurs badly need to invest in January after not having “the balls” to beat Arsenal. Check out his uncensored opinion in the video below…
A worthy successor to Dembele
Tottenham should look to Lemina, and Rabiot’s snub, as a measure of intent by beating a side regularly competing for, and winning, top honours in their country.
The Lorient product, who played 42 times for Juventus, is showing himself to be a key defensive figure on the south coast, with the ability to drive on through the heart of the opposition.
So far this season, the 25-year-old has registered 38 successful tackles, 37 interceptions and 693 passes in 15 games.
His style of play, quick feet and composure on the ball makes the 6-foot central midfielder the ideal successor to Mousa Dembele, with the 31-year-old edging closer to the Spurs exit door.
Pochettino needs a deep-lying playmaker to sit alongside Eric Dier in order for the offence and defence to gel, while providing a driving force that will supplement the lethal forwards.
