Tottenham and Wolves looking to sign ‘strong and powerful’ Championship captain in 2025.
Leeds United ace Pascal Struijk is emerging as a target for multiple Premier League clubs with Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton and Wolves eyeing the Championship stopper.
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Left-sided central defenders are all the rage these days, with many managers looking for a natural southpaw in order to provide better balance and greater passing angles at the heart of their backline.
So, with Pascal Struijk emerging as a player of serious promise at Elland Road, it should perhaps come as no surprise that Leeds United’s stand-in skipper has caught the eye up clubs higher up the English footballing pyramid.
TBR can confirm that Tottenham, Brighton and Wolves are following Struijk closely.
And while Leeds are trying to tie the Belgian-born Dutchman down to a new contract, their success in those negotiations are likely to be determined by whether a return to the Premier League can be secured by Daniel Farke’s team in 2025.
Pascal Struijk of Leeds United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United F…
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Tottenham Hotspur eye another Leeds United raid for Pascal Struijk
Tottenham, interestingly, appear to have a good working relationship with Leeds United these days.
Spurs snapped up teen sensation Archie Gray in a £35 million deal over the summer, with Joe Rodon returning to Elland Road in exchange. Manor Solomon would also end up at Leeds, the silky winger joining on loan from Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Tottenham may fancy their chances of securing Struijk’s services, then, even if it appears highly unlikely that promotion-chasing Leeds would ever consider a January exit.
Spurs are keen on bringing a left-sided centre-back to North London.
While Postecoglou confirmed ahead of the trip to Southampton this weekend that Ben Davies could yet return before New Years’ Day, recent issues suffered by both him and Micky van de Ven meant Tottenham were forced to start Archie Gray against Rangers as a centre-half in the Europa League on Thursday night.
TBR understands that, in addition to Struijk, Tottenham could move for Getafe’s Omar Alderete.
The La Liga ace reportedly has a £13 million release clause in his contract. As such, Paraguay international Alderete would come a lot cheaper than Struijk.
Wolves and Brighton also in Pascal Struijk race
Alderete’s representatives have made Wolverhampton Wanderers aware of his availability too. Gary O’Neil’s team are in the market for a left-sided central defender themselves, having conceded nine times in their three Premier League matches before hosting Ipswich Town on Saturday.
At the other end of the table, Brighton and Hove Albion, like relegation-threatened Wolves, are also admirers of Struijk.
Lewis Dunk has been utilised as a left-sided option by Fabian Hurzeler of late. But, as a natural right-footer and at the age of 33, Brighton may be keen to bring in a younger alternative at the back.
Struijk, now 25, is nearly a decade Dunk’s junior.
A graduate of the fabled Ajax academy, Struijk joined Leeds during the Marcelo Bielsa era but has reached another level under Farke. And, with Ethan Ampadu unavailable due to injury, he has captained Leeds now in each of the last 12 Championship encounters with former Leeds boss Simon Grayson blown away by one particularly stand-out display against Watford.
“He had a good captain’s performance again”, Grayson told BBC Radio Leeds after Leeds survived a scare to beat Tom Cleverley’s side in November.
“He was strong and powerful, made some good blocks in there, winning his headers and getting free kicks. Another big result and captain’s performance from him, showing his leadership skills, his strength and his power.”
