Ange Postecoglou begins brutal 'fragile foundation' clear-out as 25-year-old Tottenham star close to exit

Tottenham will complete their first transfer of the summer in the coming days with manager Ange Postecoglou giving the green light for the club to sell academy product Japhet Tanganga.

The defender came through the club's youth system and impressed under former manager Jose Mourinho in his first season with the first team. However, injuries and changes at the club meant he spent the second half of this campaign out on loan at Millwall who have now moved to make his deal permanent according to a report in The Mirror. 

At the Den, Tanganga made 18 appearances as Neil Harris's team finished comfortably in midtable. Tangaga had initially stated he wanted to return to Tottenham for pre-season but the arrival of Radu Dragusin has meant there is little space for the 25-year-old. 

He said after the Championship season came to an end: "Yes, I am looking forward to working with Ange. Before I came out on loan to Germany, I was welcomed by him in pre-season and obviously I saw his ideas and did like them. Everyone can see that he's very attack-minded, likes to keep the ball, and he's doing well, so I'm looking forward to seeing his ideas and being a part of it."

There is also interest in the ace from abroad as his ability to play at right back and centre-back is something that has often been highlighted, but Millwall are now in the driving seat to get the deal done in the coming days with the blessing of Postecoglou who has vowed to change the mentality of the club. 

The Australian was upset there were suggestions from certain members of the club and fans who were happy to lose their last game against Manchester City. He said after the 2-0 defeat on Tuesday night: "I think the last 48 hours have revealed the foundations are fairly fragile. Outside the club, inside the club, everywhere.

"It has been an interesting exercise. It's just my observations. I'm not going to tell you more. You can make your own assessment of what happened.