Paratici to fix Tottenham defensive woes with €40m January swoop for Elite Star
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing to tackle their growing defensive problems by turning once again to sporting director Fabio Paratici’s trusted recruitment network. According to fresh reports, Paratici is evaluating options at one of his most familiar scouting hubs in Italy, with an ambitious move for an elite Brazilian centre-back on the cards. TEAMtalk believes that such a signing could not only strengthen Spurs’ backline but also push captain Cristian Romero to rediscover the form that once made him one of the Premier League’s standout defenders.
Romero, whose leadership and aggression are core parts of Spurs’ defensive identity, has endured a turbulent spell. The Argentine delivered two uncharacteristically poor displays in Tottenham’s biggest fixtures of the past week, with Spurs conceding nine goals across damaging defeats to Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. While the defensive collapse wasn’t entirely down to Romero, his performances raised eyebrows. He appeared rattled during the North London derby, earning a yellow card that rules him out of this weekend’s match against Fulham. In Paris, his second-half showing unravelled even further, with a series of mistakes feeding into Tottenham’s inability to protect a historic win against the reigning European champions—having already stunned them earlier this season.
Manager Thomas Frank is said to be increasingly alarmed by the fragility of his defence and has reportedly instructed Paratici to prioritise reinforcements when the winter window opens. And now, the latest whispers from Italy claim Paratici could be planning a return to his former stomping ground: Serie A giants Juventus.
Reports from Italian outlet Tutto Juve state that Gleison Bremer, long admired by Tottenham, is once again high on the club’s list of January targets. The 28-year-old Brazil international has built a formidable reputation in Serie A, first shining at Torino before joining Juventus in 2022. With nearly 100 appearances for the Bianconeri and eight goals to his name, Bremer combines defensive solidity with a genuine threat from set pieces—an attribute Thomas Frank would welcome with open arms.
Although Juventus are not believed to be actively looking to offload their star defender, the report suggests that a bid in the region of €40 million (£35m / $46m) could be enough to test their resolve. For Tottenham, such an investment may feel necessary.
Why Spurs need defensive competition — especially for Romero
Some supporters might question why Tottenham are pursuing another centre-back, given the club already has several options in that area. But while Spurs have numbers, the overall quality beyond the starting pair drops off sharply.
Kevin Danso has performed competently when called upon but is still a level below the likes of Micky van de Ven and Romero. Radu Dragusin is nearing a return from a serious ACL injury, but even prior to that setback, he struggled with positional lapses and inconsistency. Spurs did recruit exciting Japanese prospect Kota Takai in the summer, and there is considerable optimism surrounding Luka Vuskovic, currently gaining experience on loan in Germany.
But despite these future-facing options, the present reality is that Tottenham lack an elite defender capable of challenging Romero directly. Many inside the club feel the Argentine has grown too comfortable as an automatic starter, with lapses in intensity and concentration creeping into his game as a result. A high-calibre arrival—someone of Bremer’s pedigree—could reintroduce accountability and competition, forcing Romero to sharpen his performances.
Romero was heavily linked with a move to Spain before signing a new contract in August, but Spurs now need to ensure complacency doesn’t set in. Strengthening the defence is not a luxury—it’s an urgent requirement.
Whether Bremer ends up being that solution remains uncertain, especially given Juventus’ desire to keep him. But Tottenham know they must address the centre-back position sooner rather than later if they want to remain competitive on multiple fronts.
Additional Tottenham storylines
Elsewhere, Manchester City continue to hold high hopes that Brazilian winger Savinho can become one of the Premier League’s greatest Brazilian imports. TEAMtalk sources suggest, however, that his name could resurface in connection with Tottenham again in 2026, hinting at potential future transfer movement.
On a more immediate note, Randal Kolo Muani finally opened his Tottenham account with a superb brace against Paris Saint-Germain. TEAMtalk understands Spurs have already formed a clear stance on whether they will pursue a permanent deal for the Frenchman once his loan expires.
And in another twist to the transfer narrative, Arsenal have now joined Chelsea and Tottenham in the chase for Porto’s rising star Samu Aghehowa. The Gunners’ interest could complicate Spurs’ and Chelsea’s long-term plans, with reports claiming Arsenal are prepared to accelerate their move for the promising striker.