According to the print edition of Record (as relayed by Sport Witness), Benfica will fight hard to prevent Tottenham Hotspur from signing Morato in the summer.
It has been widely reported over recent weeks that Spurs are expected to prioritise signing a centre-back in January, The Daily Mail reporting on November 22 that Morato is one of the players that the North London club have their eye on.
Although the Brazilian has not established himself as a mainstay in Benfica’s starting eleven yet, he has shown plenty of promise when chances have come his way and big things are expected of him.
DOHA, QATAR – NOVEMBER 24: Official Portugese Football Association badge during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Portugal and Ghana at Stadium 974 on November 24, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Visionhaus//Getty Images)
Record have now confirmed that Morato is indeed on Spurs’ wishlist ahead of January, with the Lilywhites viewing the youngster as a potential backup for Micky van de Ven.
However, it is alleged that Benfica are aware of Tottenham’s interest and have no interest in offloading the 22-year-old.
The report states that the Portuguese club expect the defender to become ‘even more valuable’ in the near future, particularly since fellow centre-back Antonio Silva may depart the club soon.
Benfica thus do not want to sell the player and it is thought that they rejected offers of €25m (£21.6m) and €30m (£26m) for him from Fulham and Nottingham Forest respectively in the summer.
The publication adds that Spurs would have to bid a considerably higher amount if they hope to prise Morato away from Estadio da Luz in January.
Spurs Web Opinion
I do not think Tottenham would want to spend big on Marc Guehi or Giorgi Scalvini-type signing as it is clear that Romero and Van de Ven would be Postecoglou’s first-choice partnership.
So, the club would likely be after a younger defender of Morato’s profile who can be an understudy to the Dutchman and the Argentine and develop over the next couple of years.
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