Tottenham Transfer News: Joao Moutinho Will Fill Void Left by Modric Departure

Joao Moutinho is Andre Villas-Boas’s answer to selling Luka Modric to Real Madrid earlier this week. It’s a good thing, too, because the Tottenham attack suffered in Modric's absence.

After Modric’s surprise departure, a move like this was necessary if the club wanted to change its fortunes this season.

As reported by Goal.com, Spurs saved £10 million in the process of moving Modric and bringing in Moutinho. Porto originally wanted around £30 million but agreed to take significantly less than they wanted as the deadline loomed (£22 million). Modric completed a transfer to Real for £33.2 million earlier this week.

Everyone knows Modric played a vital role in the Spurs midfield. His ability to create and set the tempo of a match is bar none the most important asset you can ask out of a man.

The Spurs may have lost their field general, but they have just gained a suitable replacement in the Portuguese midfielder from Porto.

Moutinho does not have the Premier League experience that Modric had, but neither did Modric in the beginning.

Villas-Boas’s expert tutelage will be critical in the implementation of Moutinho into the Spurs’ side. If he can catch on quickly and mesh with his teammates while utilizing his vast skill-set, the £22 million man may just be able to turn the tide for White Hart Lane.

As it stands, the Spurs have yet to win a match and looked poorly in their two attempts to do so.

Moutinho, 25, is young enough but experienced enough to make an impact now and in the foreseeable future. There’s a lot to like about this signing. Other than financials and youth, the playmaking midfielder also brings it to the pitch.

His ball handling, organization and distribution skills make him one of the premier footballers in world soccer. He’s ready to take on the grueling competition of the Premier League and will shine under his former coach, Villas-Boas.

The future is looking bright for the Portuguese midfielder as Villas-Boas continues to assemble a formidable side at White Hart Lane.

Mike Hoag is a Trends and Traffic writer for Bleacher Report and also covers the Cleveland Browns and the NFL for the site. Follow him on Twitter @BigHoagowski.