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Spurs’ Transfer Rumors: Alexandre Lacazette… Really?

By Alexander Balano

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Here’s the latest happenings on Spurs’ Transfer Rumors.

Today there are — as usual — interesting transfer rumors involving Spurs. To start off with, according to Dan Coombs of HITC he believes that Tottenham have a shot, or rather “an excellent chance to land” Olympique Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette so long as Spurs can clinch a Champions League spot. Perhaps they do, but really?

Moving on, there’s concern that Saido Berahino might disrupt Tottenham’s current team spirit. But what’s even more interesting in Simon Johnson’s article on the London Evening Standard is that West Bromwich Albion are looking to take Andros Townsend on loan. It might not be a permanent transfer, but no other teams have gone on to make any offers. And finally, Ademola Lookman is another youth player who could be signed by Spurs. To the rumors below.

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He’s going to be expensive, Alexandre Lacazette that is.

Now while his Transfermarkt profile page shows his current market value at €30 million since June 6, 2015. When converting that into pounds, it ends up being £22.4 million. Obviously that’s not going to be the actual price to pay Olympique Lyon for a 24-year-old striker who has made 208 appearances, scored 77 goals and has 34 assists in all competitions.

Instead, it could easily double to €60 million (£44.8 million) considering that Lacazette is easily Lyon’s best player on the entire squad who happens to play one of the most important positions on a football club — striker. Because, you know, that’s where a majority of a team’s goals should come from.

Anyways moving on to why this move wouldn’t make sense.

While securing Champions League football will give Spurs plenty of money to spend. Why would they reverse course on their current transfer methods of domestic youth players for expensive — albeit proven — international players?

The summer of 2013 saw Tottenham get burned at spending an exorbitant amount of money and weren’t exactly rewarded. The Lilywhites were are slowly recovering from that debacle with only three good players to show for it: Christian Eriksen, Érik Lamela and Nacer Chadli. Basically not a good return when four players out of a seven-man signing group are gone. More than half.

Is Alexandre Lacazette good? Yes. Is he worth all of that money? Yes. But that doesn’t mean Spurs should attempt to sign the Frenchman just because they achieved Champions League football.

If Tottenham finish in the top four with a young squad, the youngest in the Premier League — even with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United being inconsistent — doesn’t that mean that Spurs can play well enough with their current pool of players?

Essentially it renders those £20-25 million-plus transfers almost obsolete when Spurs have done well to find good to great players at nearly half the cost: Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld, Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen over the past couple of seasons.

Sorry, but Alexandre Lacazette joining Tottenham won’t happen even with Champions League football secured, when you factor in his wages being at least double of Harry Kane’s, Tottenham’s number one striker. It would force Kane into a backup/secondary striker role, which might not be too bad over time. However, what happens with Son Heung-min and Clinton N’Jie? Do they just fall way down the pecking order or end up being sold to save up some money?

The main story in the link above is actually about Tottenham stalling on a potential fifth bid for West Brom striker Saido Berahino. The reason being, Spurs are concerned with the 22-year-old’s current attitude and how it could disrupt their team spirit. Which is a valid point to have, but Hotspur HQ already discussed a while ago if Berahino really is going to be a problem for the Lilywhites.

So instead, let’s focus on something that’s even more interesting right now. And that’s the situation revolving around Andros Townsend.

More from Hotspur HQ

According to the London Evening Standard, the summer situation between Spurs and the Baggies has settled down and they might be able to work out a transfer move for Andros Townsend even if it is only a loan deal.

Obviously this is good news for Tottenham and they should sanction the move as soon as possible.

Because one, it clears up a roster spot. Two, the Lilywhites don’t have to worry about paying for Townsend’s wages for half a season. And three, assuming that everything works out, once Andros Townsend’s loan deal expires he could sign permanently with West Brom ahead of next season.

Now, the article mentions that numerous clubs are interested in the 24-year-old England international but so far it’s just the Baggies who have made an actual offer for the winger only. If Spurs don’t pull the plug now, they’ll have an even harder time trying to negotiate for anything less than £10 million which is what Tottenham are supposedly holding out for — for a player who hasn’t played much this term in the first place.

Okaaaaaay! So there’s really nothing being talked about on this linked article above. So it’s time to add more context to this potential move.

Assuming that Spurs are able to sign 18-year-old, Ademola Lookman, who plays as a forward, and loans him back to his current club in Charlton Athletic. Then by default it would easily become the next Dele Alli signing for the second consecutive winter transfer window.

A loan back to Charlton Athletic makes sense as Lookman just made his first-team debut two months ago and scored his first goal against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship. Basically, Lookman needs more time to develop and if he’s getting some playing time right now at his current club, then why stop that by having him sit on Tottenham’s bench? It’s best to continue his development where he can get consistent minutes and appearances.

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And appearances is something he’s getting lately. There was a stretch of five consecutive starts plus two straight starts sandwiched in between two disappearances from the 18-man matchday squad.

Overall, Ademola Lookman has made nine appearances and scored three goals for the Addicks this term. If Spurs are able to sign him and Shilow Tracey, to go along with Dele Alli. It’ll show exactly where Tottenham sees their team in heading into the near future.

A great place for young English talent to help continue their development with a rising Premier League club and become a part of the future at Tottenham’s soon-to-be brand new 61,000 seat stadium for years to come.