"I cannot do it. The game belongs to every moment and I cannot separate the game from these moments of instability and that's the reason why we didn't win the game.

Posted Thursday, April 08, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Tottenham are keen on Southampton's Jannik Vestergaard as an alternative to Inter Milan defender and long-time transfer target Milan Skriniar.

Tottenham have stepped up their bid to recruit Southampton defensive lynchpin Jannik Vestergaard and bolster their shaky defence for next season.

Jose Mourinho has prioritised the centre of his defence as the area that he believes has to be strengthened this summer.

The Spurs manager is under major pressure to deliver European football to the club next season, and that will be a major factor in chairman Daniel Levy's judgement on the Special One’s future at the end of this campaign.

Tottenham though are still in with the chance of a trophy if they can beat Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final later this month.

And despite erratic performances lately, they are still in sixth place in the Premier league table and are on course for Europa League qualification again next season.

Tottenham step up £18m Jannik Vestergaard transfer bid because of Milan Skriniar doubts (Image: GETTY)

Mourinho is planning ahead anyway - but an approach for Saints Danish strong man Vestergaard, 28, has been fast-tracked after another defensive collapse at Newcastle last Sunday.

The Danish international has been a major figure for the Saints this season after an erratic year last term - but only has a year left on his contract at St Mary's, and would cost around £18million.

He joined the south coast club from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2018 and has since made 70 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals.

Mourinho's long-term defensive target is Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar. Tottenham tried to land the 26-year-old in January but talks broke down - and Spurs will go back in again at the end of this summer for the Slovakian.

Skriniar would cost around £25m - but Spurs are worried that Inter will look to keep a player who has become a key figure under Antonio Conte - which is why they are also looking at Vestergaard.

Tottenham step up £18m Jannik Vestergaard transfer bid because of Milan Skriniar doubts (Image: GETTY)

Mourinho also wants to strengthen his midfield - and RB Leipzig midfielder Marcel Sabitzer is high on his list of targets.

The Austrian, 27, has yet to sign a new contract, is expected to leave Leipzig this summer - and is a player that Mourinho has personally earmarked.

Mourinho was left furious after the 2-2 draw with Newcastle at the weekend and said post-match: "It's a bad result. I'm not being disrespectful with Newcastle but I think that is a match to win, so the result is not a good one.

"And the performance, if I analyse the performance separated from so many mistakes that lead to instability and instability leads to hope in the opposition.

"If I want to analyse separately from that, I think we were good, very good in some moments. A great period in the first half also a solid period in the second.

"I cannot do it. The game belongs to every moment and I cannot separate the game from these moments of instability and that's the reason why we didn't win the game.

"Because that instability also affects the ball possession, the way you build, the way you go to attacking situations, so that's my view."

Spurs will need to be more solid when they return to action this Sunday against Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Meanwhile Eric Dier, one of the centre backs who Mourinho is so unhappy with at the moment - and one he has dropped for the last six games - has revealed he would like his ashes scattered at Spurs' home ground when he dies!

The England defender, one of Spurs’ longest serving players, having joined in 2014 from Sporting Lisbon, when asked where he would like to be buried, the 27-year-old said: "I'd have my ashes scattered in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium."