---
title: "Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs keen to sign another Lille defender amid interest from West Ham"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-spurs-keen-to-sign-another-lille-defender-amid-interest-from-west-ham/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Ward"
section: "Opinion"
published: "2020-06-26T17:00:56Z"
modified: "2020-06-26T17:00:56Z"
---

# Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs keen to sign another Lille defender amid interest from West Ham

**Tottenham are interested in signing another Lille defender, but this time it is not [Gabriel Magalhaes](https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/oferta-in-extremis-tottenham-gabriel-magalhaes-20200624.html).**

Lille are willing to let Zeki Celik leave for a mere £10.8m this summer, according to [Le10 Sport](https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/exclu-mercato-losc-celik-piste-par-latalanta-bergame-508464).

Jose Mourinho faces an exodus of defenders at the end of the season, as [Jan Vertonghen](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1289271/Tottenham-news-Jan-Vertonghen-transfer-exit-contract-talks-Jose-Mourinho-Premier-League) and [Juan Foyth](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8310609/Tottenham-defender-Juan-Foyth-offered-Barcelona-summer.html) are seemingly set to leave.

Like any good manager, Mourinho will no doubt be aware sorting out a solid defence is just as important as having a strong attack.

The Portuguese is therefore keen to sign Celik, amid interest from West Ham.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”302266″\]

Serge Aurier has angered the club’s hierarchy, as they feel he has embarrassed Spurs with [several infractions](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/11675766/spurs-aurier-140k-fine-breaking-lockdown/) so far.

Alongside his off-field issues, he has [struggled for consistency](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1296178/Tottenham-News-Thomas-Meunier-Talks-Liverpool-Man-Utd-Transfer-Rumours-Gossip) this season, and Mourinho is on the hunt for a [new full-back](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1296178/Tottenham-News-Thomas-Meunier-Talks-Liverpool-Man-Utd-Transfer-Rumours-Gossip).

The Turkish international arguably fits the profile of the type of player he is looking for, as he is an attacking threat on the right-flank.

Celik has played 23 games in Ligue 1 this season, supplying two assists, making 2.3 tackles per game, averaging 1.1 interceptions, and completing 1.4 clearances on average (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/136481/Show/Mehmet-Zeki-%C3%87elik)).

Moreover, he made six appearances in the [Champions League](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/136481/Show/Mehmet-Zeki-%C3%87elik), which is surely an added bonus.

[The Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/japhet-tanganga-will-miss-tottenham-hotspurs-return-with-back-injury-cvs6x3qqh) revealed Mourinho wants to sell Aurier and Kyle Walker-Peters as he will have limited funds to spend, and the Ivorian could be on his way out the door in the summer.

As the 23-year-old will be available for a bargain fee, he may be a gamble worth paying for, as he is still in the early stages of his career. Even in the event a move doesn’t work out as planned, Spurs will have gained a valuable asset for no extra cost.

***Tottenham fans, should the board sign Celik this summer? Let us know down below!***