Tottenham open talks to appoint Sebastian Kehl as sporting director
Tottenham Hotspur are holding intense negotiations to appoint former Borussia Dortmund executive Sebastian Kehl as their new sporting director amid a precarious Premier League relegation battle.
The north London club are actively seeking a boardroom replacement for Fabio Paratici, who departed for Italian side Fiorentina following the January transfer window.
Paratici had previously operated as co-sporting director alongside Johan Lange during a brief three-and-a-half-month stint.
German publication Bild reports that Spurs have now identified the 46-year-old Kehl as their primary target for the vacant hierarchy role.
Kehl brings extensive Dortmund pedigree
The former defensive midfielder boasts a rich history in Germany, having won three Bundesliga titles during a 13-year playing career.
After retiring in 2015, the German international transitioned into football management, eventually stepping up to the top sporting director position in 2022.
During his boardroom tenure, he helped construct the squad that reached the 2023-24 Champions League final before falling to Real Madrid.
Despite heavy links to Bundesliga outfit Hamburg, a move to the Premier League now appears a distinct possibility for the sought-after executive.
De Zerbi faces mounting relegation fears
An appointment in the boardroom would arrive at a critical juncture for Tottenham, who currently sit 18th in the top-flight standings.
The Lilywhites find themselves two points adrift of safety with just six pivotal matches remaining to preserve their top-tier status.
New manager Roberto De Zerbi recently suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland during his managerial debut.
That frustrating result extended an alarming winless league sequence to 13 consecutive games for the struggling side.
Senesi targeted on free transfer
Despite the looming threat of the Championship, the club remains proactive in their squad planning for the upcoming campaign.
Reports from Argentina suggest the English side are strongly pushing to secure Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi on a free transfer.
The 28-year-old centre-back will be out of contract in June and has attracted significant interest across the English top flight.
Since arriving from Feyenoord in 2022, the South American has established himself as a vital component for the Cherries, registering 122 appearances.
