Tottenham-bound Slot tipped to make Liverpool target his first signing – ‘he’s similar to Foden at City’
Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has been tipped to bring midfielder Orkun Kokcu with him if he becomes Tottenham Hotspur’s new permanent head coach.
Slot is reportedly the ‘frontrunner’ in the race to become Spurs’ new head coach. They have been searching for a new permanent boss since Antonio Conte left the Premier League club in March.
The Dutchman is regarded as one of the best young managers in Europe. He has guided Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title this season as they are ten points clear of second-placed Ajax.
The 44-year-old will have a big job on his hands at Spurs if he does take over. They have slipped down to eighth in the Premier League and a major overhaul is likely required this summer.
Kokcu has been one of Feyenoord’s most important players this term. The club captain has grabbed eight goals and two assists in the league for the champions.
His form has led to reports linking the midfielder with a move to Liverpool but Spurs have been encouraged to snap him up.
Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan thinks Kokcu is “similar to Phil Foden at Man City” and he has been the “driving force” for Feyenoord while Slot has been in charge.
“I think he [Slot] will bring in one player in particular and that is the captain Orkun Kokcu, a Turkish international, and only 22 years of age,” Van der Kraan told talkSPORT.
“A youth product, let’s say similar to Phil Foden at Manchester City, a player who everybody is very keen on, only his position is a bit different.
“He is a midfielder, a playmaker, and he has been the driving force in the team over the last two years. If I was a top-six Premier League club, I would be going for Kokcu, definitely.”
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Former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder meanwhile thinks Kokcu should stay at Feyenoord for “another year”.
“I would say stay another year,” Sneijder told Veronica Inside. “Enjoy it. If you’re really good, that option will come naturally.
“Maybe he can reach the top of European football. If he is a starter player for three or four years and he carries that team, then that is possible.”
He added: “If you go to a mid-ranking team and opt for the money, there is a chance that you will never play in the Champions League. I would say stay at Feyenoord.”
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