---
title: "Tottenham Hotspur: Talks with Milan over Japhet Tanganga loan ‘expected to continue’"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tanganga-spurs-milan-loan-talks-transfer-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2022-01-24T20:05:07Z"
modified: "2022-01-24T20:05:07Z"
---

# Tottenham Hotspur: Talks with Milan over Japhet Tanganga loan ‘expected to continue’

**According to [Charlie Eccleshare](https://twitter.com/CDEccleshare/status/1485554106005659650) of The Athletic, talks between Tottenham and Milan are ‘expected to continue’ over the possible loan move of defender Japhet Tanganga.**

### The Lowdown: Increased playing time but more criticism

The 22-year-old centre-back has seen increased game-time this season, having made [11 Premier League appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/japhet-tanganga/leistungsdaten/spieler/346478), 10 of which came in the starting XI. Tanganga’s ability to play in a number of positions across the back line has proven to be an invaluable asset for Spurs – he has been [employed](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/japhet-tanganga/leistungsdaten/spieler/346478) as a centre-back, right-back, left-back and even as a right midfielder during the current campaign.

[Spurs latest updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-5/)

However, the defender has been on the receiving end of some criticism this year following a string of poor performances. Having averaged a tame [6.65 SofaScore rating](https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/tottenham/33), Tanganga has often been blamed for being the reason as to why Spurs have been shipping goals regularly; Premier League legend [Rio Ferdinand](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9980431/Rio-Ferdinand-slams-inexperienced-Tanganga-red-card-Tottenhams-loss-Crystal-Palace.html) described his performance in the 3-0 thrashing by Crystal Palace as being costly for Spurs, on a day that he demonstrated ‘a lack of experience’ throughout.

### The Latest: Spurs and Milan in talks over Tanganga

As per [Eccleshare on Twitter](https://twitter.com/CDEccleshare/status/1485554106005659650) on Monday morning, talks between Tottenham and Milan are ‘expected to continue today’ over the possibility of a loan move for Japhet Tanganga.

Despite the aforementioned criticism, Spurs are wary of letting the defender go, as he has [started the club’s last five games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/japhet-tanganga/leistungsdaten/spieler/346478). However, if they do end up sanctioning the transfer, they would only permit a loan with an obligation to buy, whereas Milan want a straight loan deal.

### The Verdict: A loan move could be the right decision

Tanganga reportedly [‘wants to stay’](https://twitter.com/CDEccleshare/status/1485554285932916736) at the north London club, but he is aware that the returns of central defenders Eric Dier and Cristian Romero could reduce his game-time over the remainder of the season.

However, joining the Serie A club could prove to be the right decision for Tanganga, who last August was hailed as a [‘really special’](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPdSNqLvD4k) player by Gary Neville.

If he ends up being shunted out of Antonio Conte’s starting XI, he may need to go somewhere he would enjoy regular top-flight football. Up to now, the 22-year-old has been thrown in and out of the starting XI by [various Spurs managers](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/japhet-tanganga/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/346478), only utilised when he’s needed to fill in at the back due his ability to play anywhere across the defence.

Therefore, this prospective loan move could prove to be a blessing for Tanganga – that’s if the two clubs can come to an agreement over the arrangement of the deal.

**In other news – [“Still in talks”: Fabrizio Romano provides the latest on another player linked with a possible exit from Tottenham](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-transfer-rumours/ndombele-transfer-latest-psg-pochettino-romano/)**