Tottenham ‘favourite’ to sign 6ft 3in star in January, £25M deal could be agreed

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in pole position to secure the signing of Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk, according to a report from Caught Offside. The 25-year-old Dutchman joined Leeds from Ajax Amsterdam in 2018, making his senior debut a year later.

Over time, he has cemented his place as a crucial part of the team. Although his initial performances in the Premier League were inconsistent, Struijk has been in exceptional form since Leeds’ relegation to the Championship at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Last season, Struijk showed promise during the first half of the campaign but suffered a serious injury that prematurely ended his involvement. Without him, Leeds struggled to secure promotion. This season, however, he has bounced back impressively, scoring twice and contributing to 11 clean sheets in 21 league matches.

His efforts have helped Leeds climb to second place in the Championship standings, putting them on track to achieve their goal of returning to the Premier League.

Tottenham are reportedly keen to bolster their defensive options, and Struijk has emerged as a prime target. According to Caught Offside, Leeds are open to selling the defender in January if they receive an offer in the region of £25 million.

While Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion have also expressed interest, Spurs are considered the favorites to secure his services. Ange Postecoglou’s side appears well-positioned to outmaneuver their rivals in this transfer battle.

Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, Struijk is a versatile defender, comfortable both as a left-sided center-back and as cover for the left-back position. Known for his technical proficiency, ability to play out from the back, and aerial dominance, he has the attributes to fit seamlessly into Tottenham’s system.

With Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven forming Tottenham’s first-choice central defensive pairing, Struijk could provide much-needed depth and quality in the squad.

The current injury crisis at Tottenham has highlighted their lack of defensive options. With Romero and Van de Ven sidelined, Postecoglou has turned to Archie Gray, a midfielder by trade, to partner Radu Dragusin in central defense.

Adding a specialist defender like Struijk would not only address this immediate need but also strengthen the squad for the long term. Struijk’s left-footedness makes him an ideal backup for Van de Ven, ensuring tactical continuity in Postecoglou’s preferred setup.

Struijk’s consistent performances this season and his ability to adapt to multiple roles make him a valuable asset for any team. While Leeds might be reluctant to part ways with such an integral player midway through their promotion push, a substantial offer from Tottenham could prove too tempting to reject.

For Spurs, investing in Struijk would represent a calculated move to fortify their defense as they aim to maintain competitiveness in the Premier League and other competitions.

It remains uncertain whether Tottenham will formalize their interest in Struijk with a concrete bid during the January transfer window. However, his combination of defensive reliability, tactical flexibility, and Championship-proven pedigree makes him a standout option for strengthening the squad.

Should Spurs succeed in bringing Struijk to North London, his arrival could provide the stability and depth needed to navigate the challenges of the second half of the season and beyond.