Frank pulls out all the stops for his £21m ‘unreal’ centre-back target
The sacking of Postecoglou was divisive, given the Australian’s popularity and progressive style, but the team’s dire league form could no longer be ignored, despite the brilliance of their European exploits. Defensive frailties, compounded by repeated injury setbacks, exposed an alarming lack of depth and consistency in the squad.
Now, with Thomas Frank at the helm, there is a renewed sense of purpose and excitement sweeping through the Tottenham faithful. The Europa League win has not only delivered a rare trophy but also secured Champions League football for next season, offering a springboard for a new era. Frank has been handed a big opportunity to reshape the squad in his image, with supporters eager to see fresh attacking options come through the door but, perhaps even more pressingly, a robust defensive overhaul is needed.
That urgency is heightened by the looming threat of Cristian Romero’s departure, with reports strongly linking the Argentine defender to Atletico Madrid, who have placed him high on their summer shortlist. If Romero were to leave, Tottenham would lose a vital pillar of their backline, intensifying the need to recruit top-level defensive reinforcements.
Although the club has already wrapped up a deal for Kevin Danso, there is no denying that further additions are essential. Throughout last season and indeed stretching back to 2023/24 Tottenham’s defensive unit was repeatedly left exposed whenever Romero and Micky van de Ven were sidelined. Their absences, caused by a string of unfortunate injuries, underlined just how vulnerable the team could be without its best centre-back pairing.
In that context, Tottenham have reportedly turned their attention to Genoa’s highly rated Koni De Winter. According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Spurs have joined Inter Milan in submitting an official enquiry for the Belgium international, although no formal bid has yet been lodged. Genoa are thought to be willing to do business if an offer around €25m (approximately £21m) arrives on the table.
De Winter’s journey has been impressive. After making his move to Genoa permanent in 2024 from Juventus for around €10m (roughly £8m), the 23-year-old enjoyed a breakout season, featuring 25 times and scoring three goals from centre-back. That tally is even more remarkable considering he missed two months with a hamstring injury sustained in October, highlighting both his ability and resilience.
Previously on loan at Genoa the season before, De Winter has shown steady progression in Italy, developing the maturity and defensive discipline that could now see him ready for the demands of Premier League football. Comparisons to his fellow Belgian Jan Vertonghen are easy to understand another cultured, versatile defender who thrived at Tottenham and became a fan favourite during his time in north London.
De Winter’s statistical profile is equally impressive. According to data from FBref, he ranks among the top 3% of central defenders across Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored, an indicator of his set-piece threat. Additionally, he sits in the top 9% for touches inside the attacking penalty area, reflecting a proactive approach on the ball and a willingness to step forward. Defensively, his numbers are also strong: top 10% for aerial duels won, showing he can handle physical battles, and top 14% for ball recoveries per 90, underlining his capacity to read danger and intervene effectively.
Such a profile suggests De Winter could be a smart signing to add depth and quality to Spurs’ defence, especially given his potential to improve even further at just 23 years of age. With Thomas Frank seeking to build a team that is both defensively resilient and progressive in possession, De Winter’s blend of technical skill, aerial dominance, and ball-playing confidence could make him an ideal fit.
As talks continue and the transfer window gathers pace, Tottenham supporters will be watching closely to see if the club can finalise a move that might provide the kind of stability and quality at centre-back they so desperately lacked in the Premier League last term. If they can secure De Winter’s signature, he could well become the bedrock of a new Spurs defensive era and help Thomas Frank’s project truly take flight.
