Tottenham are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for Benfica forward Carlos Vinicius.
The Brazilian is expected to sign a one-year loan deal which includes an option to buy in the region of £40m.
It is over 14 months since Fernando Llorente’s departure left Spurs with Harry Kane as their only senior striker.
Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his frustrations at that situation. When asked who would be playing up front in the Carabao Cup fourth round clash with Chelsea, which his side won on penalties, he replied: “No one”.
That lack of depth is finally set to be addressed – and with a player Mourinho personally identified as his first-choice summer signing.
Other options which the club have explored in recent weeks, such as Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik, were not thought to be the Portuguese’s first choice.
Vinicius, on the other hand, caught the eye with an impressive 24 goals and 13 assists last season.
A deal must be completed by Monday when the international transfer window ends – but what will he be bringing to north London?
Vinicius started his career as a centre-back in Brazil. By chance, he was used as a forward in a one-off friendly attended by Portuguese scouts, which is how he ended up at Real Sport Clube.
Vinicius’s transformation at Benfica
That is still apparent in the more physical aspects of his game, Benfica sometimes using him as a lone striker. The 25-year-old, who plays predominantly on the left, is strong on the ball and would be well-suited to Mourinho’s counter-attacks.
One of the few criticisms he has received in some sections of the Portuguese media is his lack of variation.
He has been labelled a poacher, rarely shooting outside the box or crossing.
As he reportedly makes his way to England, the more obvious stick he’ll be beaten with is the supposed weakness of the Primeira Liga.
It is easy to assume a player who needs plenty of time on the ball might struggle to adapt to life in the Premier League, but his hold-up play makes him a suitable alternative to Kane.
Carlos Vinicius career goals
- Real Sport Clube: 20
- Rio Ave: 12
- Monaco: 2
- Benfica: 24
Vinicius likes to drop deep, which will create space for Son Heung-min and Gareth Bale on either side. Yet it is that Kane conundrum that will be most appealing to Mourinho.
He was forced to bring on the England captain for the final 20 minutes on Tuesday despite initially saving him for tonight’s Europa League fixture against Maccabi Haifa.
Competition for his signature
It had been feared Vinicius was slipping out of Tottenham’s grasp.
Benfica were reluctant to bring down his price tag amid rumours linking him with Manchester United and Liverpool.
However, their shock defeat to PAOK Salonika in the Champions League qualifiers has seen the Portuguese club take a significant financial hit.
As a consequence, they are now keen to do business.
If a deal can be reached in the coming days, Vinicius will become Tottenham’s sixth summer signing after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Hart, Matt Doherty, Sergio Reguilon and Bale.
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