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Arsenal, Tottenham Reportedly Hold Talks with Sampdoria over Joachim Andersen
November 16, 2018
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly going head-to-head in a race to sign Sampdoria defender Joachim Andersen after holding talks with the Italian club.
According to Calciomercato.com, Sampdoria directors Carlo Osti and Antonio Romei, along with intermediary Paolo Busardo, met with Arsenal and Spurs in London on Thursday.
It is said the pair both scouted Andersen during Sampdoria's 4-1 defeat to Torino on November 4.
The 22-year-old joined the Serie A side from FC Twente last year, but he made just eight appearances in his first campaign.
Andersen forced his way into the team at the end of the season, finishing it with five consecutive starts in the Italian top flight.
Football coach and technical director Mads Davidsen got a look at the centre-back in pre-season and was impressed with what he saw:
He has started this term the way he finished the last and has played every minute of the campaign, helping Sampdoria record six clean sheets from 13 games in all competitions.
Per Football Whispers' Matt Gault, Andersen makes up for his lack of pace with an impressive positional sense, while his 6'4" frame helps him dominate in the air.
Gault added that the Denmark under-21 international is "sharp and decisive" when defending in his penalty area but is also "comfortable pushing higher up the pitch and picking out midfielders or runners further forward with his excellent passing skills."
The Blucerchiati have evidently recognised they have a hot prospect on their hands, as they moved to tie him down earlier in November:
The deal could equally just be a way of boosting his value ahead of a potential sale, so it's possible he may still be up for grabs.
Spurs have shipped just 10 Premier League goals in 12 matches this season, but Jan Vertonghen will be 32 and out of contract at the end of the campaign, while Toby Alderweireld is also in the final year of his deal, although the club can extend that by a further 12 months.
As for Arsenal, Shkodran Mustafi remains unconvincing, so both clubs could use another option at the back.
Andersen is relatively inexperienced, having made just 71 senior appearances in his career, but he looks to have a bright future.