Tottenham are still looking for a new permanent manager to take over ahead of next season, with Ryan Mason having taken charge after Antonio Conte was sacked in March and one name that continues to be linked with the role is that of Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot.
The 44-year-old guided the Rotterdam-based club to the Eredivisie title with two games to spare, with Sunday’s 3-1 victory away to already-relegated FC Emmen taking them 10 points clear of second-placed PSV Eindhoven.
Slot spoke about his managerial future after that game. “Everyone needs clarity quickly,” he told ESPN. “I [rejected] Leeds in the winter and now I’m staying or leaving. My departure can also be good for the club, but if there is no dream club then I will stay. In football it is commonplace that you talk to clubs.
READ MORE: Tottenham player ratings vs Brentford: Harry Kane scores a wonder goal but defenders fall short
“I am not saying that I have done it now, but it is not forbidden that I talk to other clubs.”
But if Slot were to make the move to Spurs, which players, if any, would he try to bring with him to north London? football.london has taken a look…
JUSTIN BIJLOW
Feyenoord’s 25-year-old goalkeeper has conceded just 18 goals in 24 Eeredivisie games this season, including 12 clean sheets.
With Hugo Lloris set to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of the season, Spurs have a major job ahead in finding the man to replace the France World Cup winner.
Netherlands international Bijlow – valued at around €10million (£8.5million) by CIES Football Observatory – missed 14 games with a broken wrist this campaign but could be a bargain deal for Daniel Levy and provide competition for Fraser Forster.
DAVID HANCKO
Slovakian central defender Hancko only joined Feyenoord from Sparta Prague last summer but he has played a crucial role in helping his side win the Dutch title.
Slot’s team have the second-meanest defence in the division behind FC Twente, having conceded only 29 goals in 33 matches, with Hancko featuring in all but three of them.
Valued by CIES at €20million (£17.5million), he could help tighten up a Tottenham defence that has shipped 62 goals this season.
Ben Davies and Clement Lenglet – due to return to Barcelona when his loan spell is up at the end of the season – are the only naturally left-sided centre-backs in the senior squad, so Hancko would add to those options.
ORKUN KOKCU
Turkey international Kokcu was named Feyenoord captain at the start of the season and is the heartbeat of the team.
Despite playing primarily as a deep-lying midfielder, the 22-year-old has still scored an impressive 12 goals in all competitions in 2022/23.
Arguably the most saleable asset in the squad and valued at around €30million (£20million) by CIES, Kokcu has reportedly been linked with a possible transfer to a number of Premier League clubs this summer – including Manchester United – although former Dutch player Wesley Sneijder has urged him to remain at De Kuip for at least one more season and enjoy the Champions League campaign with them.
“I would say stay another year. Enjoy it,” Sneijder told Veronica Inside, as quoted by United in Focus.
“If you’re really good, that option will come naturally. Maybe he can reach the top of European football. If he is a starter player for three or four years and he carries that team, then that is possible.”
SANTIAGO GIMENEZ
The final player who may come under consideration for Spurs is 22-year-old striker Gimenez.
Having begun the season primarily as a substitute, the Buenos Aires-born Mexico international – who opted to play for his adopted country rather than that of his birth – has 23 goals in all competitions for Feyenoord this season, with a number of Premier League clubs understood to be monitoring his progress.
With Harry Kane consistently linked with a move away from north London, with just 12 months left on his contract come the summer, left-footed forward Gimenez may be one for Levy and Slot to consider, as a strong addition to the squad if not as a direct replacement for the England captain.
READ NEXT:
Arne Slot can give Harry Kane what he wants at Tottenham as striker plans new Daniel Levy talks
Everything Arne Slot said amid Tottenham links as Feyenoord chief claims own Spurs approach
Arne Slot to Tottenham latest: Agreement ‘close’, Feyenoord stance, Daniel Levy shortlist
Ryan Mason fires back at Harry Kane’s ‘hint’ over Tottenham future amid Man Utd transfer links
The Harry Kane stance and the advice Daniel Levy must heed with Tottenham set for huge changes