Tottenham Hotspur has secured a significant addition to its squad by reaching an agreement in principle with Santos for Brazilian left-back Souza. The total deal, valued at approximately €15 million (£13 million), marks the club’s first signing of the January transfer window.
Souza, who is just 19 years old, is expected to arrive in north London this weekend to undergo a medical examination, or at the latest, early next week. Once completed, he will sign a five-year contract with Tottenham. His arrival is particularly timely as the club seeks to bolster its defensive options.
The left-back position has been a concern for Tottenham, especially with regular starter Destiny Udogie sidelined since December 2 due to a hamstring injury. In Udogie’s absence, right-back Djed Spence has had to fill the left-back role, a situation that has highlighted the need for additional defensive depth.
Despite Udogie’s injury, Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has received a boost with the return of Ben Davies, who recently recovered from a hamstring injury sustained while on international duty with Wales last October.
Souza has made a modest number of first-team appearances for Santos, totaling 38, with 29 of those occurring last season. Despite his relatively limited experience, South American football expert Tim Vickery believes Souza brings a wealth of talent and potential to the Premier League. During a recent discussion on talkSPORT, Vickery praised Souza’s abilities, stating, “Terrific business. I like it very much, a good left-back. Physically strong, skillful, a good footballer. Can defend, can attack.”
Vickery further elaborated on the challenges Souza faced during his first season at Santos, where the team struggled against relegation. He noted the high expectations placed on players at Santos, a club steeped in history and tradition. “It’s a tough ask,” Vickery explained. “He’s done really, really well under pressure.”
Souza’s imminent move to Tottenham is seen as a positive development for the team, particularly in light of their recent struggles. His potential to contribute effectively to the squad has generated optimism among fans and management alike.
As Tottenham prepares for the second half of the season, the addition of Souza could prove pivotal in their quest for success in domestic and European competitions. The club’s focus now shifts to finalizing the transfer and integrating the young Brazilian into their tactical setup.
