Tottenham, desperate for a victory in the UEFA Europa League, has begun acquiring a playmaker. However, that player belongs to the opposing team they will face a few days later.
Florian Plettenberg, a reporter for Germany's Sky Sports, claimed on the 30th (Korea time) via his social media (SNS) that Manchester City has entered the competition to acquire Hugo Larsson (21, Frankfurt), who has been linked with several Premier League clubs over the past few months.
Frankfurt is the opponent Tottenham will face in the quarterfinals of the Europa League. They will meet at home on the 11th and away on the 18th. Larsson could become one of the biggest obstacles for both Tottenham's attackers and defenders.
Son Heung-min has not given up hope for a trophy this season. If they cannot overcome Frankfurt, they may remain empty-handed once again. With the possibility of parting ways with Tottenham after this season, the Europa League has become even more crucial.
According to Plettenberg, Larsson is attracting interest from Tottenham, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Recently, Manchester City initiated preliminary negotiations, during which Director General Markus Krösche of Frankfurt reportedly set Larsson's price tag at a minimum of 60 million euros (about 95.7 billion won).
Larsson is currently under contract with Frankfurt until 2029. Although Larsson has shown a positive response to Manchester City's interest, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Liverpool are also expected to continue pursuing him.
There is a particular need for a playmaker who can provide opportunities upfront. While players like Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Lucas Verival exist, they have fallen short of expectations.
Larsson is considered an ideal candidate. He is a central midfielder but can also be utilized as both a defensive and attacking midfielder. Tottenham needs Larsson, who can play various positions in the midfield.
Most importantly, he is expected to provide diverse ball distribution to the attacking line. Tottenham has been criticized for lacking passes from the midfield to the front. If Larsson joins, Son Heung-min and others can actively exploit the space behind the defense using their speed.
Larsson, a native of Sweden, joined Frankfurt from Malmö in the summer of 2023. In his first season, he recorded 2 goals and 1 assist in 29 league matches. This season, he has scored 3 goals in 26 matches, showcasing an aggressive style.
Tottenham sees Larsson as having high long-term investment value. They believe he has the ability not only to orchestrate the game from midfield but also to create scoring opportunities through creative passes and wide vision.
Larsson's transfer fee is a hurdle. While he possesses high potential for development, investing 50 million pounds in a midfielder with limited experience may be realistically difficult. Frankfurt could raise his price further through bidding competition as they confirm the interest from big clubs.
Tottenham, who have not secured a spot in European competitions, are at a greater disadvantage. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City are all in a position likely to qualify for next season's Champions League or Europa League.
Arsenal is hoping for more creative play in the midfield, alongside Martin Ødegaard. Liverpool believes that Larsson could supplement the creativity that may decline if Mohamed Salah leaves.
Given that Larsson is still young, he is likely to choose a team that offers consistent playing time. In that respect, Tottenham could be a destination as they need a playmaker and have a thin squad. Additionally, Tottenham has Swedish national teammates Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Verival.
It remains to be seen whether Tottenham can supplement the creativity they always desire next season. For Tottenham, overcoming Frankfurt to win is essential for a more advantageous position in acquiring Larsson.
[OSEN]