Mourinho presses Spurs board to purchase Nigerian winger Paul Mukairu this summer

TOTTENHAM Hotspurs manager Jose Mourinho is stepping up pressure on the club's management to sign Nigerian winger Paul Mukairu this summer before his ongoing exploits in the Belgian league spark off an expensive bidding war.

Mukairu, 21 is joined Turkish side Antalyaspor from Nigeria's FC Hearts Academy and at the start of the current season was sent out on to loan to Belgian giants Anderlecht. He has been a revelation since the start of the current campaign, scoring two goals and creating four more in 20 appearances for the Jupiler Pro League side.

Over recent weeks, the interest in Mukairi has escalated after it emerged he is available for just £4m. Among the clubs said to be interested in him include Bayer Leverkusen, Villarreal, Ajax and Roma and with the end of the season fast approaching, Mourinho fears that a bidding war may lead to the player becoming too expensive.

Spurs are said to be more than willing to match the €5m asking price for the Nigerian, who is seen as one for the future. Mukairu himself is said to be feeling good at Anderlecht but would be open to a move were one of his suitors make a firm approach to sign him.

Mukairu's agent confirmed that Ajax have recently expressed an interested in the player. He added that moving to such a good club would be great for the player's development as among other things it would expose him to European football.

“Ajax are interested in signing Paul who is a highly technical player who will fit the Ajax style. He is not yet the finished article but Ajax would be a great club for him to continue with his development.

“It will also be a chance for the player to feature in the Champions League season after season.," He added.

Primarily a left-sided winger, Mukairu has pace and trickery but needs to work on his end product and is currently very one-footed, preferring to cut inside on his right foot. Mukairu does not have any caps for Nigeria, so a work permit could become an issue if he moves to England, although Spurs are confident that they came pull it off.