Tottenham could have sought a windfall transfer in the January window, but the opportunity may have been lost due to exorbitant demands from other clubs. This comes as Spurs look to the winter market as an opportunity to add fresh faces to their squad.
The Lilywhites have had a mixed start under manager Thomas Frank, but he and Ange Postecoglou have been called up to look for more stability after finishing 17th in the Premier League last season. There have been many changes at the north London club that have gone beyond the management’s attention. Daniel Levy’s departure has brought about a reshuffle within the hierarchy as the Lewis family look to take the club to the next level.
Although the dust has settled in the boardroom, their performance on the pitch means they currently sit ninth in the Premier League and have ambitions of finishing in the top eight of the Champions League. The January transfer window could be crucial to that end, as injuries have affected Spurs’ squad while doubts remain over the quality Frank has at his disposal.
It remains to be seen how much money Frank will be offered as a transfer fee, but some release may be necessary before some contracts are finalized. With that in mind, Tottenham could reap a windfall that could provide them with much-needed income thanks to a masterstroke.
This was in the form of a sell clause that the club included in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s contract when he moved to Marseille in the summer. Spurs paid around £17m for the Danish midfielder when his loan move became permanent. Just a few months after that move, there appears to be some interest in the 30-year-old.
According to a report from Italian outlet Sportmediaset, Juventus are keen to sign Hojbjerg in January to strengthen their options. However, Marseille are thought to have set a price tag of £52m for his services. The Serie A side are said to be furious at the request and claim the fees are “exorbitant”.
Juventus appear to have withdrawn their interest for now, making it unlikely that Tottenham will reap any kind of windfall from this move.
Frank’s success at Tottenham may be determined by the options he has at his disposal. A head coach’s long-term future requires him to see a team that grows with him, and that was the case with Mikel Arteta’s closest rivals Arsenal.
The North London derby clash showed just how much Spurs are capable of on and off the pitch as the pressure mounts to reach a higher level. Before the match, Frank was asked about the possibility of the team changing like Arsenal.
“I think that makes sense. If I were here six years from now, the team would be a completely different team. That’s natural. Some players will be sold, some players will develop, and some players will probably not develop as much as they would like. So, I think that’s natural. I’m not going to give an opinion or make a decision on him and whether he needs to leave right now, but of course we’ll look at it during the spring. It’s a natural thing from the standpoint of growing the squad. ”
