The Transfer Vultures Are Circling At Tottenham

As the season reaches it’s final weeks, with Tottenham looking unlikely to get Champions League football next season, the transfer vultures are circling already at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham once again face a summer of uncertainty as they are expected to appoint a manager in place of Tim Sherwood and while that is going on, the future of certain players at White Hart Lane will come into question as clubs try to take advantage of Spurs’ failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Even though there are still three games to play to the end of the season, rumours have already started to appear linking certain players with other clubs.

Doubts

The question of the future of Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen at Tottenham was raised months ago when Spurs slipped away from the top-4 places in the Premier League.

Last January Lloris was quoted in the Daily Express, saying,

"The objective is to reach the Champions League. After that, it’s to close the gap on the biggest teams in the league.Without Champions League football? I’ve not thought about it. I must weigh things up at the end of the season."

The French international captain has since been linked with a return to France and with his outstanding form in the build up to the World Cup there is sure to be further interest in Tottenham’s goalkeeper. According to the Daily Star, Lloris is a target for Paris Saint-Germain.

Vertonghen, whose form has disappointed this season, was asked about his future at the end of February following the defeat at Norwich. He is quoted in The Independent saying,

"Those are difficult questions. Do I have a decision to make if we don’t qualify? I can’t say anything about that. Let’s see after  the World Cup."

The central defender was thought to be a target for Barcelona but their transfer embargo would prevent a move to Spain. Other clubs, however, are sure to have him on their wish-list, including Liverpool, according to The Mirror, with their guarantee of Champions League football next season. Recent reports in Russia suggest that Andre Villas-Boas at his new club Zenit St Petersburg has expressed an interest in a reunion with Vertonghen according to the Daily Express.

Breaking News on BBC Sport: Vertonghen will be relieved to hear that FIFA have just been put on hold pending an appeal allowing Barcelona to buy and sell players this summer. Who else at White Hart Lane could be of interest to the Spanish club?

After Saturday’s win over Fulham, Tim Sherwood raised the subject in connection with Christian Eriksen who has been so influential for Spurs in recent weeks. The Daily Mail reported Sherwood’s remark,

"You are always fearful that someone might come and take one of your best players and Christian is certainly one."

Tottenham fans have experienced the disappointment of losing top players too often in recent years and then watched them enjoy success at their new clubs. They are fearful of a similar situation occurring this summer and want the club to ensure they retain their best players.

This rather pessimistic tweet by Sam (@SKA_THFC) sums up how many Spurs supporters feel at the moment.

In recent weeks, interest has also been expressed in other Tottenham players.

Roma are interested in taking Paulinho on loan for a season with a view to a permanent transfer the following year as reported in the Daily Mail. With Paulinho’s improved form, Spurs would be reluctant to sell the Brazilian midfielder, wanting to keep him for another season.

Reports in Italy suggest that Rafa Benitez is interested in signing the Tottenham captain, Michael Dawson. With the Napoli manager linked with a possible vacancy at Tottenham, this move might take time to progress.

Etienne Capoue and Erik Lamela who have both had a very disrupted first season at Tottenham are bound to consider their future with Spurs while Younes Kaboul was linked with Arsenal a couple of weeks ago although he immediately denied a possible move across north London.

Currently out of the team, Sandro is clearly unhappy with the situation and in the past has attracted attention from clubs in Europe. The disagreement with Tim Sherwood has alerted clubs in Italy with Roma, Napoli and Inter Milan reported to be interested while according to Football Direct News, Liverpool are understood to be contemplating a move in the summer to strengthen their squad.

News up-date: this morning’s Daily Express has Sandro playing down a move to Arsenal.

Sandro said in an interview in with the Brazilian media, Lancenet,

"I’m happy here at Tottenham. If the rival supporters want me to go to their team, I think I’m doing a good job and being recognised."

With so many players uncertain about their future at Tottenham, and with players involved in the World Cup during the summer, Daniel Levy needs to make a swift decision on the manager/coach for next season in a bid to head off any unrest among the players and the possibility of speculative transfer bids from other clubs to unsettle players during a period of uncertainty at White Hart Lane.