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Tottenham’s centre-back pursuit, a debacle in the making

By Gary Pearson

Tottenham Hotspur's English chairman Daniel Levy (R) waits in the stands during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 20, 2023. Brentford won the match 3-1. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur's English chairman Daniel Levy (R) waits in the stands during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 20, 2023. Brentford won the match 3-1. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Tottenham’s search for a first-choice centre-back has fallen off the rails, with the likelihood of all three primary candidates joining the club dwindling like the value of cryptocurrency. 

Negotiations between Spurs and Wolfsburg have unravelled, making a deal for Micky van de Ven increasingly unlikely. Some suggest the deal is as dead as a doornail. Others feel there’s hope, albeit minimal and fading faster than daylight in late autumn.

Tottenham has yet to officially bid for Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba.

Leverkusen’s top brass has stepped in, saying their most-prized asset quite simply is not for sale. Unless Spurs offer more than £50 million, Tapsoba is staying put.

We all know what that means.

But Tottenham has a third-choice candidate it can pluck from Fulham, right?

Not so fast.

Tosin Adarabioyo prefers a move to Monaco, and the two clubs are close to agreeing a move for the 25-year-old.

Another strikeout for Spurs.

Although one has to swing for it to be considered a strikeout. More accurately, Tottenham’s inaction has left them in the cold on all three accounts.

Meanwhile, Tottenham still hasn’t managed to sign Blackburn’s Ashley Phillips.

That transfer, akin to the prospective van de Ven one, was said to be a done deal. We were waiting for confirmation from Fabrizio Romano. That was about a month ago. I had my celebratory whisky picked out.

While those deals, as so often is the case where Tottenham is concerned, have thus far fallen through the porous grate, I made great use of the whisky, albeit more for commiseration.

Spurs were expected to land Blackburn’s 18-year-old for £5 million all in.

However, Blackburn, a side as financially desperate as a beggar with an empty paper coffee cup, increased the asking price, now reportedly demanding £9 million.

Yikes.

Tottenham can’t even land an 18-year-old prospect without getting rinsed.

So where does that leave Spurs?

Well, about as desperate as the aforementioned beggar. Spurs might be forced to pick up the phone and ring Barcelona, hoping Clement Lenglet’s price hasn’t increased as dramatically as Phillips’.

With less than three weeks until the season commences, it’s back to the drawing board. I’m sure Ange can now relate to the transfer-market angst his predecessors were forced to endure.

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