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Spurs’ Transfer Rumors: Tottenham Considering Signing James Maddison

By Alexander Balano

Jul 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino during training in advance of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino during training in advance of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are the latest happenings on Spurs’ Transfer Rumors.

There are two transfer rumors involving Spurs. The first one sees James Maddison being on Spurs’ radar and while it’s not new, the fact that Tottenham are using the Dele Alli deal as a starting point to begin negotiations shows that the Lilywhites are stepping up their pursuit for the 19-year-old Coventry City player.

Lastly, Saido Berahino is slowly becoming an afterthought as Harry Kane’s partner up top to lead Spurs’ attack due to concerns over his behavior — and maybe his lack of production. Therefore, Mauricio Pochettino has told London Evening Standard what Spurs are looking for in players and maybe why the club takes their time to actually finalize transfers. These are the latest transfer rumors.

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With Coventry City’s James Maddison becoming the latest English youth talent in League One, Spurs are just one team in the hunt for the teenager’s signature along with Arsenal, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs, City and United. But how serious are Spurs’ interest in the 19-year-old attacking midfielder?

Because David Pleat has spent plenty of time in the stands of Ricoh Arena scouting Maddison, this is a good sign that Spurs are seriously considering a transfer for what some in the media have labelled as the “new Dele Alli”.

When Dele Alli signed for Spurs last winter, MK Dons agreed to a £5 million transfer fee and a loan back for the rest of the season to guarantee that Alli can help the Dons earn promotion to the Championship. Well, that deal is a starting point for Spurs to sign James Maddison from Coventry City.

However a transfer isn’t that easy. Trying to compare James Maddison’s path to Dele Alli based on the valuation of the transfer fee, their ages and how Alli is having a successful campaign this term with Spurs, it might not work out that way for Maddison at all.

As is, James Maddison is more likely to get regular playing time in the starting eleven under Tony Mowbray than with Spurs, seeing as how there’s too many players who can and have played as Mauricio Pochettino’s number 10 in his starting eleven this season.

Perhaps the best moves for both clubs is to — after signing James Maddison for however much Coventry City want for the 19-year-old — is to loan the player back for a year-and-a-half. That way Spurs can figure out their attacking midfield situation and the Sky Blues can earn promotion to the Championship while having Maddison earn playing time and not sitting on the bench.

Mauricio Pochettino’s message is clear-cut and while it slightly hints at Saido Berahino potentially not joining Tottenham, due to his summer episode with West Bromwich Albion’s chairman Jeremy Peace, it’s meant for every player that Spurs are interested in signing.

“It’s our responsibility to sign not just the right players, but the right people,” Pochettino told Standard Sport. “Talent is at the same level as character and personality.”

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“We want to find good players but also good people. People who share our philosophy, behave well, show respect to the club and their team-mates and supporters; respect the badge. This is very important for success.”

“It’s my philosophy. This is the way we want to create a big team here and have success in the future.”

Interestingly enough, according to this Standard Sport article, ever since Mauricio Pochettino joined Spurs in the summer of 2014. He has asked his recruitment staff to “discover as many details as possible about the personality of a potential target”, which might explain why Spurs look like they aren’t doing anything for a few weeks even though the transfer window has opened.

And while the easy counterpoint is to do all of this scouting before the summer and winter transfer windows open, new scouting reports have to be done regularly. On a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis.

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Therefore, the next time Spurs are sitting idly by like they did this past summer after making three quick signings with Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld, before picking up steam to sign Clinton N’Jie and Son Heung-min. It’s because they’re busy scouting and looking for every detail imaginable.

“We have spent time to find the right people to give advice and information. It’s hard, it’s true, but we must do it. There are a lot of names on the market and it is easy simply to sign a player. But to get the right player, who has respect for the changing room, is our responsibility.”