Tottenham Want To Sign 21-Year-Old Centre-Back For £8.5 Million: Is It A Good Move? | OneFootball

Tottenham have suffered very badly in the ongoing season and Ange Postecoglou might get sacked if Spurs don’t show consistent form at the back end of the season. Much of the problems for Tottenham have been due to their defensive woes. They have Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Radu Dragusin as the three main centre-backs. Ben Davies and Archie Gray can also play as the centre-back. So, it looks like they have a lot of depth in that position but the club has struggled with injury issues and that has affected their performances.

Tottenham want to sign Matte Smets for £8.5 million

Van de Ven and Romero have struggled with consistent injury problems. So, Tottenham need to sign an additional centre-back in the upcoming summer transfer window. According to a report from the Sunday Mirror (page 71), the club are targeting Genk centre-back Matte Smets in the summer.

The 21-year-old is a highly rated defender and is the one to look out for in that position in the future. The 21-year-old Belgian centre-back at Genk is a standout talent in the Pro League. His ball-playing ability is exceptional—cool-headed and precise, he tops the charts for touches, passes, and completions among his peers.

Smets thrives in possession, confidently starting attacks with crisp short passes or carrying the ball forward himself. Defensively, he is a hawk, sniffing out danger with sharp interceptions and smart positioning. Though not the tallest, the Genk centre-back’s anticipation compensates, even if aerial duels aren’t his forte. Young, composed, and tactically astute, Smets is a modern defender with the tools to climb Europe’s footballing ladder.

Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are the two Belgian defenders who have featured in the Tottenham jersey for a long time. The report reveals that Tottenham would need to pay £8.5 million to sign the 21-year-old and Levy wants to make the move.

Is it a good move?

For a Spurs fan, Matte Smets feels like a no-brainer for the summer. With Van de Ven and Romero battling injuries, our backline’s been wobbly—depth is a must. Smets, at 21, brings Genk’s ball-playing flair, composure, and defensive nous for just £8.5 million—a steal in today’s market. Levy is keen, and why not? They have got a proud Belgian legacy with Alderweireld and Vertonghen; Smets could follow suit. His passing and anticipation fit Ange’s style perfectly, easing the load on our injury-prone stars. Sure, he is young, but that price tag screams smart business. Tottenham should pounce before someone else does.