Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing 34-year-old Diego Godin from Inter Milan this summer, with Jose Mourinho keen to try again with a player who snubbed him while at Manchester United.
Attempting to sign an ageing star like Godin would suggest that Daniel Levy is allowing Mourinho to dictate transfer strategy.
The Portuguese historically prefers signing experienced and established players, rather than invest in youth, which would represent a dramatic shift in policy should Spurs allow it.
With that in mind, here are five players in their 30s Tottenham could also look to buy this summer.
Karim Benzema
A recent report in The Sun suggested Real Madrid are considering offering the 32-year-old French international to Spurs as part of a deal for Harry Kane. That might not sound appealing to many fans, and indeed Mourinho will hope to build his team around Kane, but nevertheless Benzema represents an intriguing option for the club.
He scored 47 La Liga goals during Mourinho’s three seasons in Madrid between 2010 and 2013, alternating leading the line with Gonzalo Higuain in a period of brilliant attacking football at the Bernabeu.
Benzema is closer to his prime than Higuain, and given he regularly played on the wing under Mourinho the Real man could even be fielded in the same side as Kane.
Nemanja Matic
Manchester United’s 31-year-old midfielder has fought his way back into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side of late, but having started just 11 league games in total may be looking for a route out of Old Trafford. His playing style doesn’t quite fit the speed and agility favoured by the Norwegian.
Matic has a long history with Mourinho, of course, who loves a powerful defensive midfielder and has signed the Serbia international twice previously, for Chelsea in 2014 and Man Utd in 2017.
After the midfielder’s move to Old Trafford, Mourinho claimed he had always wanted Matic over another of his targets, Eric Dier, who has already fallen out of favour under the new manager.
Ivan Perisic
Another player previously linked with Mourinho is Bayern Munich winger Ivan Perisic, currently on loan from Inter Milan.
The 31-year-old was pursued by Mourinho at Man Utd and came close to moving to Old Trafford in 2018, only for Perisic to turn the offer down despite claiming it was “painful” to do so.
“It was an amazing thing for me when Jose called me,” he told Goal. “It was difficult to say no to him.”
Injuries have restricted Perisic to just nine Bundesliga starts this season, meaning he may not be pursued long-term by the German giants. Mourinho, then, might get a second chance.
Gareth Bale
There are many Spurs fans who would love to see Gareth Bale come home. The 30-year-old has enjoyed a remarkably good career at Real Madrid for a supposed flop, and yet 2019/20 has definitely been his worst year.
Bale has started just 11 games and scored only twice, intensifying rumours he will be leaving the club this summer. The Welshman’s wages are certainly a stumbling block, but Spurs looks like the perfect place for him to rediscover his best form.
Bale, enduring a tumultuous relationship with the Real fan base, is in desperate need of a psychological boost. Moving back to a club where he is adored by supporters could be just the lift he needs.
Blaise Matuidi
An automatic contract extension has been activated to keep Blaise Matuidi tied to Juventus until 2021, but that does not necessarily mean he will stay beyond the summer, according to a report by Corriere dello Sport.
Juve could sell the 32-year-old to raise funds for a younger midfielder, which may alert Tottenham and Mourinho. Matuidi has the intelligence to dominate a Premier League midfield and the experience to impress the Spurs manager.
Mourinho clearly wants more strength and resilience in midfield. Matuidi could be the answer.
