Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld has urged his old club to sign Victor Osimhen, insisting the Nigeria striker’s proven goalscoring record makes him the answer to a problem that has persisted at the club since Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich in 2023, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

“Victor Osimhen is a very good striker, and Tottenham Hotspur need a very good striker. They have lacked a top player there since Harry Kane so I think that’s an area where they have to improve,” Alderweireld told Hajper.

“Osimhen has scored everywhere he has played. He is going to get you goals, even in the Premier League. Spurs cannot gamble too much this season. I think that’s why they are spending big money on big players because they know they need to give something back to the fans and they need to sign these players quickly before other clubs become interested.”

Alderweireld acknowledged that Tottenham are not the only club who could benefit from Osimhen’s goals, but argued his experience should outweigh concerns over his age among suitors such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.

“Spurs aren’t the only club that could use a striker like him but they need his goals because it’s what they lacked last season as well. The only concern for clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United is maybe his age.

“He’s not the youngest player anymore and it seems like everyone wants to find a 23-year-old superstar who can bang in goals for the next seven or eight years, and I understand that, but you also need a good mix,” he said.

Drawing on his own experience at Ajax, the Belgian explained why blending proven quality with emerging talent produces the best results.

“That’s why it can be important to sign proven players who know how things go so they can bring on the younger, potential superstars alongside them, because they can set the best example.

“I think about my time at Ajax. The mix was on another level. We had Dusan Tadic and Daley Blind and Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs de Ligt coming through. That’s what you need,” Alderweireld added.

Alderweireld’s endorsement comes amid a major squad overhaul at Tottenham under head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who has already brought in Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke to strengthen the midfield and defence.

Spurs currently field Dominic Solanke and Richarlison as their main attacking options, but a move for Osimhen would require Tottenham to test Napoli’s resolve with a formal approach and commit to a significant financial package as the transfer window progresses.