Tottenham Hotspur target Ruslan Malinovskyi has ‘got good pedigree’ amid growing speculation over his future, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The 29-year-old has been made available for transfer by current club Atalanta and has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks with Hotspur Way touted as a potential destination.
What is the latest news involving Malinovskyi?
Italian daily national newspaper Il Giorno (via The Express) claim that Malinovskyi is on Tottenham’s radar, with the Bergamo club valuing him at around £15 million.
Spurs are reportedly ready to pay that figure, but only once they've moved some more fringe players out of the door such as Harry Winks and Sergio Reguilon.
And according to TuttoAtalanta, the capital club have overtaken newly-promoted Nottingham Forest in the race for Malinovskyi’s signature after they agreed personal terms.
However, it’s also claimed that Atalanta want to cash in on the Ukraine international this summer, while Tottenham prefer a loan move with an option to buy in 12 months’ time.
It remains to be seen if Antonio Conte’s charges follow up their interest in Malinovskyi with a formal offer and any deal is likely to depend on finding a buyer for their unwanted stars.
What has Jones said about Malinovskyi?
Jones has informed GiveMeSport that attacking midfield is ‘definitely a position’ that Tottenham are ‘considering’ making improvements in ahead of September’s deadline.
He said: “Attacking midfield is definitely a position that Tottenham are considering ahead of deadline day, so it fits with that.
“He's got good pedigree, has played in top European competitions, he's a regular in Serie A, and he has a pretty good output too, in terms of goal contributions. So, I can completely believe that he is a guy they’re looking at right now.”
Would Malinovskyi be a good signing?
Malinovskyi has registered 29 goals and 27 assists in 129 appearances for Atalanta since arriving from Genk back in 2019, helping his side two consecutive third-place finishes in his opening two campaigns with the club.
And the creative talent, who only had one year remaining on his contract, enjoyed another successful season last time out, racking up 17 goal contributions in 41 outings.
As per FBref, Malinovskyi also ranked in the 97th percentile for total shots, 95th for progressive passes, 94th for expected assists, 93rd for shot-creating actions, 87th for pressures, and 89th for aerial duels won amongst his positional peers over the last year.
Malinovskyi, therefore, could be an astute, value-for-money addition to Tottenham’s attacking options, providing the creativity that Conte’s charges are arguably lacking at present.