Why signing Ndombele represents so much more for Tottenham

The Tanguy Ndombele transfer hype continues to snatch most Tottenham headlines, with the latest reports saying that £63 million will be enough to get the deal done. 

Hq, four days ago, from reputed sources verified that Tottenham, with a substantial offer, are close to finally locking down their marked man. That purported offer was said to be close to £60 million. So why then, if the clubs are only a few million pounds apart, have both parties not been able to get this deal across the line?

Lyon, who bought Ndombele from Ligue 1 side Amiens before the 2017-18 season for a miserly £7 million, is expected to earn about £56 million profit from the prospective sale. Earning such a huge profit in less than a year is a business strategy most football clubs would be elated to emulate.

It also shows just how impressive a breakout season Ndombele had in 2018-19, with the Frenchman dominating Ligue 1 on numerous fronts.

Why signing Ndombele represents so much more for Tottenham

Negotiations have been underway, and ongoing, for almost a month now, which begs the question: Why is it so difficult for Tottenham to land their most prized transfer prospect?

Surely Daniel Levy is acutely aware of how important landing Ndombele is to the club. The 22-year-old represents so much more than a player whose presence would immediately propel Tottenham to the next level.

Signing Ndombele would represent a clear intent by the club, it would show supporters and Mauricio Pochettino that the unwavering hope of challenging for a Premier League title is not unfounded.

It would prove to the world that Tottenham can land a marquee player also sought after by some of the biggest clubs in the world, whose pockets are immeasurably deeper than Tottenham’s. It would show other top players, like Gionvani Lo Celso, that Tottenham mean business, and have every intention of regularly returning to the Champions League Final. In correlation, other top players would jump at the chance to join an exciting Spurs revolution.

It would assuredly represent a watershed moment at Tottenham.

But none of those positive outcomes will materialize until Ndombele is officially Tottenham-bound, which, if heaven forbid negotiations fail, would leave the club right back where they started, as a potential world beater reluctant to take a giant, yet necessary step.

Pay the fee, Levy, even if it costs you an extra few million quid. This signing represents so much more than gaining one exquisite French midfielder.