Tottenham’s Kyle Walker-Peters will sign with Southampton before deadline

Southampton are reportedly finalizing terms with Tottenham regarding 22-year-old right back Kyle Waker-Peters.

Walker-Peters enjoyed a brief rise to prominence under Mauricio Pochettino prior to the Argentine’s exodus from Spurs. However, the inexperienced Englishman couldn’t sustain an elite level and quickly lost the first-choice right back role to Serge Aurier, who has since maintained his place in the first team.

Of his five appearances this season, four came under Pochettino’s tenure. The Englishman has played just a single match since Jose Mourinho took the helm in November. Most believe the deal will be confirmed in the next couple of days, assuredly before Friday’s transfer deadline.

It looks as Southampton will initially loan Walker-Peters, with an expected obligatory clause to purchase permanently the player next summer. The deal is said to be worth about £12 million, which Tottenham will use to recoup some of their losses in purchasing Steven Bergwijn, a deal that PSV has accepted in principle. 

The sales of Walker-Peters and Christian Eriksen will allow Spurs to replenish the £30 million they paid for Bergwijn.

Walker-Peters never truly reached his full potential at Tottenham, but showed signs of the pedigree most believe he is capable of. The problem was his inconsistency and inability to physically meet the demands of playing one of the most testing positions in modern football. He certainly has the mobility, speed and agility, but lacks the ruggedness, defensive aptitude, physicality and ruthlessness needed to thrive.

We wish him all the best and hope he can soar at Southampton to the heights many expected of him in north London.