Tottenham have now enter battle with Newcastle as £22m star ‘keen on move’

Newcastle United’s imminent capture of Malick Thiaw has inadvertently thrown a wrench into Tottenham’s transfer plans, with AC Milan now targeting a defender who had been on Spurs’ radar.

The £35 million deal for the German center-back, set to undergo his medical on Tyneside imminently, has left the Rossoneri scrambling for defensive reinforcements – and they’ve set their sights on Genoa’s Koni De Winter, a player Tottenham had been monitoring closely.

The 23-year-old Belgian international has emerged as one of Serie A’s most promising young defenders during his loan spell at Genoa from Juventus.

Tottenham’s sporting director Johan Lange had identified De Winter as potential defensive cover, particularly after last season’s injury crisis left Ange Postecoglou desperately short of options at the back.

Now, with Milan preparing an opening bid of around £17 million, Spurs face being priced out of a move for a player who could have been available for just £8 million earlier this summer due to a release clause in his contract.

This transfer ripple effect comes at an inopportune time for new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who is already grappling with James Maddison’s long-term ACL injury.

While the club secured Mohammed Kudus as their marquee signing, the midfield creativity void left by Maddison’s absence remains a pressing concern.

Frank admitted as much in recent comments, stating: “When players suffer long-term injuries, we need to address that. We’re actively looking but won’t rush into anything unless we find the right player who can genuinely improve us.”

The De Winter situation highlights the interconnected nature of the transfer market, where one major signing can create unexpected consequences for rival clubs.

Milan’s pursuit of the Belgian defender appears more advanced than Tottenham’s, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the Italian giants have already initiated contact with the player’s representatives.

For Newcastle, the Thiaw deal represents a rare piece of good business in what has been a frustrating window, but for Tottenham, it may force them to reconsider their defensive targets.

With Milan moving decisively for De Winter, Spurs could find themselves paying a premium for alternative options or potentially missing out altogether unless they act quickly.

As the summer window enters its decisive phase, this transfer domino effect serves as a reminder that in modern football, every major signing creates waves – and sometimes, those waves crash hardest on unexpected shores.

Tottenham now face a critical decision: match Milan’s interest in De Winter, or pivot to other targets before the market moves further beyond their reach.