Eriksen twiddling thumbs, waiting for Tottenham to compromise on price

The back and forth continues as Tottenham hold firm, with Daniel Levy unwilling to compromise on his £17 million valuation of Christian Eriksen. 

Like a horrifying recurring nightmare, this despicable saga continually haunts Tottenham. I’m sure it’s also haunting Eriksen, who wants so badly to start afresh in a new environment.

Most Tottenham supporters want the same thing. Most importantly, they want to finalize proceedings in what has become a nagging thorn that, like a tattoo needle, continuously pokes and prods. When you’re in a relationship that you know is doomed, it’s best to pull the plaster in one foul swoop, as to ease the suffering.

But that is not Daniel Levy’s way. In fairness, he believes strongly in the Dane’s market value. And it seems he won’t go any lower than £17 million, putting this deal in serious doubt. According to the Daily Mail, Inter’s recent offer equates to £11 million plus generous bonuses and add-ons. The amount of the add-ons and bonuses aren’t exactly being disclosed but it’s thought they’re worth between £3 and £4 million.

"Inter Milan sports director Piero Ausilio said: ‘We have just made an official bid to Tottenham to sign Christian Eriksen and now we’re waiting.’"

You can almost guarantee what Levy’s answer will be. And one has to wonder how many more rejections Inter is willing to take. Martin Schoots, Eriksen’s agent, is scheduled to meet chairman Daniel Levy on Tuesday to discuss the situation, the Daily Mail states.

Levy considers himself an expert negotiator, a businessman who understands precisely how much his commodities are worth. And he seldom compromises on those valuations.

But one has to wonder whether the reward in this case is worth the risk. We’re talking about a difference of few million pounds. Yet if Inter walk away from the negotiation table Spurs will lose at least triple that, as Eriksen will assuredly leave on a free transfer in the summer.

And we’re not only talking in financial terms. If Eriksen stays it will be against his will. It will frustrate millions of supporters and could cause a rift in the dressing room. It also means an apathetic, listless and disinterested Eriksen would remain, spreading his disenchantment around the dressing room, inadvertently or purposely, like an airborne contagion.

Seems like ridding oneself of those potential drawbacks is worth a lot more than losing a few million pounds. Get the deal done, Daniel. Stop holding the club’s overall wellbeing ransom for what, in the grand scheme, is tantamount to a drop in the ocean.