Former Tottenham and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has urged Daniel Levy to hijack Arsenal's transfer pursuit of Declan Rice. Spurs have dropped down to sixth in the Premier League following their dramatic 4-3 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
It's been a difficult few weeks for Tottenham as their chances of finishing in the top four took another setback after losing to Jurgen Klopp's side. The Lilywhites' last three fixtures represented a great chance to secure Champions League football for next season, but they have taken just a single point from the nine available.
First up was a shocking 6-1 defeat against Newcastle at St. James' Park which saw players reimburse the travelling away support for the cost of their tickets. Ryan Mason then took charge after Stellini was dismissed as Spurs came back from 2-0 down against Manchester United to earn a point.
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Liverpool looked as though they would run away with the win in similar fashion to Newcastle after 15 minutes following early strikes from Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah. Tottenham were a mess, but the Reds allowed them back into the game and Richarlison's late equaliser looked to have secured a point from the game.
However, Lucas Moura's error at the back just 20 seconds later saw Diogo Jota sneak in and score a winner with just seconds left to play on Merseyside. The result left pundits and Spurs fans confused as to where the club is at currently, with Mason even unable to answer that question in his post-match interview.
Many things need to change at Tottenham before they begin to consistently challenge for titles and trophies, but Redknapp believes signing Hammers' captain Rice should be a priority for Levy this summer.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the 4-3 defeat to Liverpool, Redknapp said: "In the summer, whatever they do, Spurs fans want to see them surely - as an example, Declan Rice is available.
"Now, Arsenal are in the mix - why can’t Spurs be in the mix? That’s the sort of level of player they need to be trying to acquire. That’s what they should be doing right now but I just don’t think that’ll happen."
football.london reported earlier this year that the Gunners are prioritising a move for Rice this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his midfield options. The 24-year-old has expressed a desire to play for a club in the Champions League and has refused to negotiate a new contract at the London Stadium.
Graeme Souness believes that nothing will change at the club - even if a new manager is appointed soon - unless the recruitment improves, after Jose Mourinho and Conte both failed to bring success to N17. Souness told Sky Sports: "It doesn’t really matter who they get.
"At the end of the day the most important thing at a football club was, is, and always will be recruitment. You have to say they’ve not recruited very well.
"They’ve spent a hell of a lot of money, the coach is given a group of players and it’s dictated to him how they’re gonna play by the type of player that they’re buying. For me, Tottenham’s ills stem from their recruitment.
"They’ve tried Mourinho, they’ve tried Pochettino, they’ve tried Conte. These are serial winners and they’re still not any better off. It’s down to whoever says 'he’s the man, let’s get him'."
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