Tottenham Transfer News: Riechedly Bazoer Blow, Latest Rumours

AC Milan are reportedly closing in on reported Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Riechedly Bazoer, with manager Vincenzo Montella said to have sanctioned a deal.

According to calciomercato.com, the Rossoneri have been scouting the Ajax midfielder for a long time, and Montella has now given his blessing for a €20 million move.

Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf (h/t Football-Oranje.com), Bazoer's agent previously admitted he has been talking to Milan, although the Dutch outlet disagreed on the valuation of the young starlet:

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The agent of Riechedly Bazoer has confirmed to De Telegraaf that he is in talks with AC Milan. Ajax want €22 million.

— Football-Oranje.com (@football_oranje) November 2, 2016"

Football Insider (h/t Daily Express' David Wright) reported Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino personally scouted the Dutchman with an eye on a summer move, but the transfer never materialised.

Arsenal have also long been linked with the central midfielder, who is widely regarded as one of the top young talents in the Netherlands. The Daily Mirror (h/t Wright) reported the Gunners wanted to sign Bazoer as early as 2012, but he has so far resisted the allure of a Premier League adventure.

As shared by BBC Sport's Elko Born, De Telegraaf says Milan are unwilling to meet Ajax's valuation, although this latest Calciomercato report suggests otherwise:

The 20-year-old is a product of PSV's youth academy but made the switch to Ajax in 2013. He became a regular for the team's senior squad a year later. He quickly established himself as one of the top midfielders in the Eredivisie and was rewarded for his hard work with a call-up to the Dutch national team in 2015.

VI-Images/Getty Images

Bazoer played as a centre-back at times during his youth days, and his defensive ability is evident when you watch him play. He profiles as a box-to-box midfielder who can dictate play with his passing and shield the defence and even score when he advances into the box.

Alex Blinston of OutsideOfTheBoot.com is a fan:

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His role model is said to be Patrick Vieira and apart from similarities in stature with Bazoer standing at 6ft, his 28 tackles this season – the 7th highest of all teenagers in the Eredivisie this term – would suggest that the 19-year-old is beginning to translate his admiration of Vieira into his own game. Former coach Fons Groendijk said, “I see him as the Patrick Vieira of Ajax,” compliments don’t come much greater.

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He's already holding his own against senior competition on a regular basis, and Bazoer's long-term potential is through the roof. Comparable to Anderlecht's Youri Tielemans, he's one of the next-generation midfield talents who is set to dominate European football for years to come if he continues his development.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Bazoer would be an incredible capture for a Milan team desperate to return to the summit of European football after years of decline. While the youngster hasn't been at his best so far this season, his long-term potential easily makes him one of the top midfield targets on the transfer market right now.

Arsenal and Spurs don't have a particular need in the central areas right now, but there's little doubt both teams would love to add a talent of Bazoer's caliber. For Spurs, a combination of the Dutchman and Dele Alli would solidify their midfield for years to come.

The race to sign the youngster is far from over, however, with the January transfer window still almost two months away. If the north London rivals want to have any chance of beating Milan to his signature, they better get a move on.