{"id":135328,"date":"2023-12-28T15:48:22","date_gmt":"2023-12-28T15:48:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/12\/28\/morato-on-january-shopping-list-for-threadbare-spurs\/"},"modified":"2023-12-28T15:48:22","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T15:48:22","slug":"morato-on-january-shopping-list-for-threadbare-spurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/12\/28\/morato-on-january-shopping-list-for-threadbare-spurs\/","title":{"rendered":"Morato on January shopping list for threadbare Spurs \u2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

Tottenham\u2019s priority in the January transfer window is likely to be defensive reinforcements \u2014 and Benfica centre-back Morato could be a shrewd acquisition.<\/p>\n

Ange Postecoglou\u2019s side lost summer signing Micky van de Ven to a significant hamstring injury last month and have been left short of options at the back.<\/p>\n

Ben Davies has deputised well in recent weeks but Spurs have ambitions of challenging at the very top of the Premier League, so will need to enter the market.<\/p>\n

Ahead of tonight\u2019s clash with Brighton, we look at what Morato could bring to North London.<\/p>\n

Benfica emergence<\/h2>\n

Tottenham\u2019s recruitment in the summer was impressive, with Van de Ven, Pedro Porro, Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison immediately becoming key players.<\/p>\n

Most were purposely signed to fit into Postecoglou\u2019s system and that will not change for any January additions.<\/p>\n

Morato certainly ticks plenty of boxes for a team looking to build for the future.<\/p>\n

At 22, he has the potential to improve significantly and has already demonstrated his quality for Portuguese champions Benfica.<\/p>\n

\"Morato
Morato has made 13 appearances in all competitions for Benfica this season<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An increasingly influential player for Roger Schmidt\u2019s team, the Brazilian has caught the eye in 2023.<\/p>\n

He has made eight league appearances this season and a further five in the Champions League, helping his side to four clean sheets.<\/p>\n

Morato\u2019s impressive performances have led to interest from other clubs, with Fulham reportedly making a bid last summer.<\/p>\n

Perfect fit<\/h2>\n
\"Benfica
Benfica signed Morato from Sao Paulo for \u00a35.2million in 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tottenham will hope their status as top-four contenders will put them in pole position to sign Morato.<\/p>\n

The former Sao Paulo youngster is believed to have a \u00a368million release clause in his contract at Benfica \u2014 but Spurs will hope to negotiate a cheaper price.<\/p>\n

Even if they are forced to spend big, Morato could still represent good value for money.<\/p>\n

As a left-footer, he would be ideal competition for Van de Ven and could take on the absent Dutchman\u2019s role alongside Cristian Romero.<\/p>\n

He is also physical and combative enough to cope with the rigours of England\u2019s top flight, standing at 6ft 4in.<\/p>\n

But perhaps most importantly, the Sao Paulo native has the technical skills required to operate in Postecoglou\u2019s rearguard.<\/p>\n

He is adept at passing out from the back and is also among the most productive defenders in Portugal for progressive carries (1.45 per 90) and tackles (2.9 per 90) in 2023.<\/p>\n

Post-Christmas present<\/h2>\n
\"Morato
Morato has also been linked with Premier League sides Fulham and Nottingham Forest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All the signs suggest Morato would be a quality addition to Tottenham\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n

He fits the bill as a technically accomplished, coachable young player with room to develop.<\/p>\n

And he would bolster a team in need of increased depth as they look to navigate the winter with several key players sidelined by absences.<\/p>\n

Postecoglou will have one eye on the transfer window even as he prepares for tonight\u2019s clash with Brighton.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tottenham\u2019s priority in the January transfer window is likely to be defensive reinforcements \u2014 and Benfica centre-back Morato could be a shrewd acquisition. Ange Postecoglou\u2019s side lost summer signing Micky van de Ven to a significant hamstring injury last month and have been left short of options at the back. Ben Davies has deputised well […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":135329,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\nMorato on January shopping list for threadbare Spurs \u2013 - Ghanamma.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/12\/28\/morato-on-january-shopping-list-for-threadbare-spurs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Morato on January shopping list for threadbare Spurs \u2013 - Ghanamma.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tottenham\u2019s priority in the January transfer window is likely to be defensive reinforcements \u2014 and Benfica centre-back Morato could be a shrewd acquisition. 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