Antonio Conte has enjoyed a quick start to the summer transfer window, and Tottenham technical director Fabio Paratici has shown no sign of slowing down. football.london first revealed that the Spurs boss wants as many as six arrivals this window; a centre-back, a wing-back, two midfielders, a forward and an understudy to Hugo Lloris.
With Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster through the doors at Hotspur Way, the north London outfit can expect to welcome four more signings – one of which a wing-back, which has been a hot topic of conversation.
The north London outfit have entered engaged in talks with AZ Alkmaar over the signing of left-back Owen Wijndal, according to French outlet FootMercato. Despite Spurs’ wealth talent on the flanks already, with the arrival of Perisic hot off the press, the 22-year-old’s alleged £8.5 release clause could tempt Paratici into a bargain he can’t refuse.
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Wijndal, who sees his contract at the AFAS Stadion expire in 2024, featured 31 times for the Dutch side in the Eredivisie this season, directly contributing towards 11 goals from left-back. The Netherlands international burst onto the scene two years ago and quickly became a staple for the national side under Frank de Boer.
But, since Louis van Gaal has taken the reins of Oranje, he is yet to have featured. Manchester United and Barcelona have been heavily linked with Wijndal in the past, though Spurs seem to jumped the queue.
But, who is he? football.london has taken a look.
Name?
Owen Wijndal
Age?
22
Nationality?
Dutch
Price?
£8.5million
Honours?
N/A
Similar to?
Andrew Robertson, as per avid Eredivisie fans online
Style of play?
Often called the ‘flying Dutchman, Wijndal is a high-intensity, all-action, attacking full-back.
What has been said?
Speaking with De Telegraaf last year, Arsenal all-time great and former Ajax transfer chief Overmars said on Wijndal: “I cannot deny that this would be a very good player for us. A young boy, Dutchman and starting international. I think I can do business in Alkmaar. But whether I do that is another matter.”
Speaking last year also, this time Dutch outlet to Voetbal International, Wijndal claimed that he is the best full-back in Holland. He said: “I am the best left back in the Netherlands. That is my opinion and I think I should be able to say that.
“Then I don’t include Daley Blind, because he normally plays centrally at Ajax. Nicolás Tagliafico and Philipp Max are of course also great backs, but I think I’m just a bit better.”
“When someone like Marc Overmars says that you are a good player, that is special,” the Dutchman added. “But I have not given it any further thought. I don’t have it all in my own hands and I feel at home at AZ. In any case, I am happy that people see how I am developing.”