---
title: "Tottenham Hotspur: AC Milan hold talks with Japhet Tanganga"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-ac-milan-hold-talks-with-japhet-tanganga/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2022-01-11T11:35:04Z"
modified: "2022-01-11T11:35:04Z"
---

# Tottenham Hotspur: AC Milan hold talks with Japhet Tanganga

**According to a report by Calciomercato (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/loan-right-redemption-talks-held-tottenham-exit-spurs-looking-e25m/)), AC Milan’s Frederic Massara and Paolo Maldini held talks with Japhet Tanganga’s representatives two weeks ago, ahead of a proposed ‘loan with a right of redemption’ transfer.**

### The Lowdown: Lack of first-team football

Since the arrival of Antonio Conte at N17, a variety of formulations have been utilised for Spurs’ backline. This has made it difficult for players to secure themselves a guaranteed position in the starting 11. This has been the case for [Tanganga](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/japhet-tanganga/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/346478/plus/0/trainer_id/3517), who has made just four appearances in the Premier League under the Italian boss, having been used as a central defender and at right-back.

In the League Cup, [Tanganga](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/30/Show/England-Tottenham) has averaged the most amount of blocks made per game in the squad, earning himself a place in the starting lineup for last week’s clash with Chelsea in the EFL Cup semi-final.

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

However, he struggled against the Blues, with some reports calling his display a ‘[calamity](https://www.teamtalk.com/chelsea/tottenham-tanganga-calamity-blues-control-carabao-cup-semi-final-first-leg-report)‘, and it is perhaps no surprise to see the player linked with a move away in the January window.

### The Latest: Milan hold talks with Tanganga

According to a report by Calciomercato (as relayed by [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/loan-right-redemption-talks-held-tottenham-exit-spurs-looking-e25m/)), Milan chiefs Massara and Maldini held talks with Tanganga’s representatives two weeks ago, ahead of a proposed transfer to the Serie A side.

Milan are said to be looking for a ‘loan with a right of redemption’, which presumably would entail the permanent move going through in the summer.

However, it is clear that if a deal were to be agreed, Tottenham would prefer a permanent transfer during the January window.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375567″\]

It is [reported](https://sportwitness.co.uk/loan-right-redemption-talks-held-tottenham-exit-spurs-looking-e25m/) that Spurs value the defender at £16.7 million, which Milan believes to be too high a fee. Therefore, talks have stagnated, but it is believed that a deal could come to life towards the end of the window.

### The Verdict: A good move for the youngster

With guaranteed game-time an uncertainty at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a move away in search of regular first-team football could be the best course of action for Tanganga.

The central defender could follow in the footsteps of [Fikayo Tomori](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12334823/fikayo-tomori-chelsea-defender-to-join-ac-milan-in-25m-permanent-transfer-after-loan-spell), who joined Milan in a deal worth £25 million. Since arriving in the Serie A, Tomori has been impressive, playing his way back into [Gareth Southgate’s England squad](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/england-squad-fikayo-tomori-world-cup-2022-b1929918.html).

Tanganga has also received similar praise, from both fans and professionals, with [Gary Neville](https://thisisfutbol.com/2021/08/blogs/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur/tottenham-hotspur-gary-neville-praises-japhet-tangangas-performance/) having asserted that he is a ‘really special’ player, and former manager [Jose Mourinho](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-jose-mourinho-amazing-japhet-tanganga-debut-a4332246.html) regularly describing some of his performances as ‘amazing’.

Therefore, this suggests a move abroad could prove to be the best option for the youngster’s long-term playing career.