Tottenham: Sissoko’s Fee and Why Pochettino Wanted Him
Tottenham’s fee for Moussa Sissoko is better than initially thought.
The biggest news surrounding the signing of Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle United was the fee that Tottenham paid.
For a while, it seemed like Everton would complete a £30 million deal for the French international, until Spurs swooped in and hijacked the transfer.
For as talented as the 27-year-old is, Rafa Benítez’ valuation of the central midfielder was too much. In the end though, it’s not as bad as it seems upon first glance.
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According to a report from the Evening Standard, Spurs did in fact pay £30 million. The catch is, it’s split up into five yearly installments of £6 million.
In short, this is a typical Daniel Levy-type of deal that benefits his club both in the short-term and long-term.
For instance, let’s say Moussa Sissoko isn’t able to continue the form he had from this past summer’s European Championship.
After a year or two, if Levy can find a team willing to buy the French midfielder, Spurs are off the hook and would only pay £6 to £12 million in total.
If Sissoko does very well in all five seasons, then this would have been a very good signing for Tottenham as Mauricio Pochettino is getting a player in the prime of his career.
And at a very important position of central midfield no less, where Mousa Dembélé now has a solid backup.
Pochettino and Levy valued Sissoko at around £20 million and although they ended up paying £30 million to fend off Everton’s “interest“, having the 27-year-old for about three seasons would be £18 million and they can cut ties if need be.
This signing is a big coup for Tottenham when it’s all said and done.
As for why Mauricio Pochettino wanted the French midfielder?
Pochettino favors players who have Premier League experience, and Moussa Sissoko has three years of it since joining Newcastle in 2013 from Toulouse.
Playing in England’s top-flight division is what made Victor Wanyama a target that Pochettino sought after last summer before signing him a year later.
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Now while Spurs have signed players who have never played in England before, unless the Argentine manager feels that a player has plenty of potential and will do well regardless, they will be signed immediately if a deal can be reached.
Examples would be Clinton N’Jie, Son Heung-Min, Vincent Janssen, Georges-Kévin N’Koudou and Pau López.
All five players could do well in England, which is what Mauricio Pochettino believes, therefore that was enough to convince Daniel Levy to sign all of them.
Although Moussa Sissoko is 27-year-old, and Pochettino tends to target younger players, the French international is another exception to his philosophy.
Toby Alderweireld signed last summer and was 26, hardly young but not old.
Tottenham targets players in their early 20’s, but some could be over 25, so long as Pochettino needs them.
Alderweireld was needed to shore up central defense. Sissoko was added because he offers pace and power. Two traits that could help Spurs become more direct and aggressive moving forward. Something that has been lacking early on this season.
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It’s too early to tell what kind of player Spurs will get once club football returns.
At times, Moussa Sissoko can be a dominate player like he was for France in the Euros. Other times, he might not have his head in the game.
Either way, a backup player was needed for Mousa Dembélé first of all. And second, yearly installments helps Spurs get out of a £30 million transfer if this move doesn’t work out.
This is a win-win situation for Spurs.