tottenham strike perfect $75m transfer outcome as Daniel Levy set to land huge deadline day deal
Tottenham transfer news: The latest Spurs media briefing with reaction to stories on Brennan Johnson and Ansu Fati
In a remarkable turn of events, Tottenham have missed out on Barcelona youngster Ansu Fati. Despite the Spaniard seemingly looking set to be on his way to Chelsea, Spurs or potentially Liverpool, it is Brighton who have landed a killer blow in this stunning late-window transfer saga.
The 20-year-old will join the Seagulls on a season-long loan with no option or obligation to buy next season as he seeks to get back to the form that made him a natural successor to Lionel Messi’s famous No.10 shirt at Camp Nou. Fati has been ravaged by injuries in the past two years and hasn’t managed to match the initial excitement of his breakthrough as a teenager.
Now, despite the indication that Spurs were well in the driving seat to potentially bring the winger to England on a short-term deal of their own, Roberto De Zerbi’s side have secured an incredible coup, picking up the player ahead of competitors. They will, however, have to pay nearly all of his salary.
Having been valued at over £60milion ($75m) before this season, it’s not quite the try-before-you-buy that had been reported previously.
football.london says: Whisper it quietly, but we think Tottenham have dodged a bullet somewhat. Fati, while immensely talented, is not a certain banker that you want with a short-term loan without much hope of adding the player to the squad.
Unlike with Dejan Kulusevski, whose loan is one of the most successful in recent times across the continent, there are less assurances that Fati can come in and make a true difference to Ange Postecoglou’s side and without the chance of buying him, the deal has not got loads going for it.
Sure, Fati could be a great player and maybe he’ll hit the ground running for Brighton but as Postecoglou looks to rebuild a squad, there is not room for needless loans or time to be spent on those who don’t have a future at the club. Even though Brennan Johnson is going to be more expensive than many would like, it is part of Tottenham’s hopeful committment to the player to develop him.
With Fati, they would be risking him coming good as well as then seeing Barcelona get the ultimate reward for their work. It’s tough to say no to talents like Fati but, just like Chelsea and Joao Felix, when there are no buy options it’s a bit of a game and not one Spurs want to be tangled up in.
From one player not coming in to someone who seems much more likely, Spurs are reportedly keen to reduce the price being quoted for Johnson as they enter deadline day with the deal in the balance.
Forest boss Steve Cooper spoke about the timing of the move, which could happen just over 24 hours before the Reds play Chelsea on Saturday, saying: “If anything is going to happen, then we are getting closer to that time.
He also added: “No official news but we carry on as normal.” Johnson is valued at £50million ($61m) by Forest and Tottenham do have money to spend having not yet signed anyone since selling Harry Kane to Bayern Munich. However, signing Johnson is still likely to depend on getting players out of the door.
They have already rejected a loan offer from Burnley for Eric Dier while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could still be sold. It is Davinson Sanchez who may well hold the key to this deal, though. Reports suggest that Forest would entertain taking Sanchez from Tottenham in a player-plus-cash deal to secure a move that benefits both parties.
Spurs, on the other hand, are willing to let the player leave before the end of the window.
football.london says: Well this is mildly surprising and a good bit of fortune. Tottenham need to get rid of players as the clock ticks down and have been handed a huge chance to kill two birds with one stone.
There is little reason to keep Sanchez, especially with the form and lack of confidence that he has, and there is good faith in trying to reduce the price for Johnson. It really does get the best of this deal for everyone other than Forest maybe losing out on some of the cash they will have wanted to get for Johnson.
Other than that, if this really is an option, Daniel Levy should be marching Sanchez to the Midlands right now to get this done before setting Johnson loose under Big Ange. There are understandable doubts about the deal in general but this would be very good value if it can happen.
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