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Kota Takai hailed for what he did to Cristiano Ronaldo in AFC Champions League, it shows how good Tottenham’s signing is

Jamie Brown

Tue 24 June 2025 21:15, UK

Tottenham Hotspur are close to completing their second signing of the summer transfer window in Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale.

TBR Football understands a deal is close for Takai to join Tottenham, who have beaten off strong competition to sign him from the Japanese first division.

Several major European clubs have been watching him over recent months, including Liverpool, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich.

One of Takai’s best performances came against Al Nassr, where his performance against Cristiano Ronaldo has been praised.

Kota Takai had Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane ‘in his pocket’

Japanese journalist Alan Gibson claims that Tottenham Hotspur’s new signing Kota Takai had Ronaldo and Sadio Mane ‘in his pocket’.

The Japanese international faced up against Ronaldo and Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League and Kawasaki Frontale produced a shock 3-2 win.

The legendary Portuguese attacker had a frustrating evening up against Takai as he failed to register a single attempt on target out of six efforts at goal.

Gibson told TalkSPORT: “Some of the highlights you might have seen him in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League when he played against Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Jhon Duran, and basically he had them in his pocket the whole game. I didn’t realise Ronaldo was playing for about 60 minutes.”

Thomas Frank greenlit the signing of Takai after Johan Lange presented the young defender to him, having been impressed by his performances in the J1 League.

Spurs’ sporting director believes that the player is ready to make the step up to the Premier League and follow in the footsteps of Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie.

The 20-year-old is expected to be part of Frank’s first-team squad next season and will join the likes of Ashley Phillips and Luka Vuskovic.

Frank wants to keep Phillips next season and has told Spurs not to loan him. Meanwhile, Vuskovic’s potential has impressed Tottenham and they now believe he is a huge prospect.

Kota Takai stats against Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane

No player completed more clearances in the AFC Champions League semi-final than Takai, with nine as he kept Al-Nassr’s attacking trio at bay.

The defender produced such an impressive display against some of the biggest talent currently playing in Asia, including Ronaldo, Mane, Duran and Otavio.

Despite his age, Takai already has plenty of experience, having made 78 senior appearances and four appearances for the national team.

In September, he is due to turn 21, and there will be an expectation at Spurs that he will be able to do a job in the squad next season.

Tottenham were plagued by injuries last term, especially in defence, so having plenty of options available will be crucial for Frank.