Benjamin Stambouli has signed a four-year contract at Tottenham Hotspur, who have paid £4.7million to take him from Montpellier.
Mauricio Pochettino had set his sights on luring Morgan Schneiderlin from his former club Southampton for much of the summer, but had been told in no uncertain terms that the player is not for sale. The Argentine coach has therefore been forced to look elsewhere for reinforcements, and his attention had turned to Stambouli in recent weeks.
The 24-year-old, who won three caps at Under-21 level for Les Bleus, can play in a variety of positions, but has likely been bought as a defensive midfield player. He was at White Hart Lane on Sunday as Spurs’ fine start to the season came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Liverpool, and he passed his medical and agreed personal terms on Monday afternoon.
Stambouli, who made 26 appearances as La Paillade won their first and only Ligue 1 title in 2012, was also on the radar of Swansea City and Italian side Fiorentina, but upon joining Tottenham, he said: “I’m very happy to be here. I’m discovering the Training Centre. It’s amazing to be here and I am determined to show people I can play. I know the size of the club and I am happy and proud to join. I will give everything for the club.”
Pochettino has now signed six players since succeeding Tim Sherwood at the end of last season, with Stambouli joining Ben Davies, Eric Dier, Federico Fazio, Michel Vorm, and DeAndre Yedlin. However, his hopes of luring Danny Welbeck from Manchester United appear to be on the verge of being over, with the striker said to be undergoing a medical at Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Lewis Holtby has ended a fairly unremarkable 19-months at White Hart Lane by returning to Germany. The former Schalke midfielder has joined Hamburg on loan for the remainder of the year. And Brazilian star Sandro, another midfield player, looks set to make the trip across the capital to join Queens Park Rangers for £10million.
Tottenham fans, what do you think of Stambouli? And is that it for the window, or do you think you might add more? Let us know what you think by joining the discussion below!
