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Tottenham’s Ashley Phillips’ transfer strategy about to pay off

By Gary Pearson

Blackburn Rovers' English midfielder Tyrhys Dolan (C) and Blackburn Rovers' English defender Ashley Phillips celebrate after the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on February 28, 2023. - Blackburn won the match 2-1. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES / 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 DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Blackburn Rovers' English midfielder Tyrhys Dolan (C) and Blackburn Rovers' English defender Ashley Phillips celebrate after the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on February 28, 2023. - Blackburn won the match 2-1. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES / 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 DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Tottenham’s transfer strategy regarding Ashley Phillips is about to pay off, with the club on the verge of signing the Blackburn centre-back for £2 million. 

Supporters know not to count their chickens when it comes to any prospective transfer, no matter how close to a done deal.

However, Tottenham is just one day away from confirming Phillips’ signing.

Phillips’ escape clause kicks in on Friday, allowing Spurs to purchase him for £2 million, seven million less than Blackburn wanted and about three million less than Tottenham was willing to pay.

While we’ll have to wait until tomorrow for confirmation, Tottenham’s top brass deserves credit for how they have handled this particular transfer.

Plaudits don’t come thick and fast for Spurs’ hierarchy, whose strategic nous regarding transfers usually leaves a lot to be desired.

No other team has bid for Phillips, so unless one is submitted tomorrow, an implausible scenario, the 18-year-old centre-back should be Tottenham-bound.

Phillips is keen on the move to Spurs, so being poached by another Premier League team on Friday is also improbable.

The Blackburn youngster will provide a long-term option for Spurs. While he won’t compete for a first-team spot in the short term, he has the ability to be a mainstay in the starting 11 for years to come.

He’ll also add depth to a rearguard in desperate need, especially considering the probable departures of Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga, who aren’t expected to be part of Ange’s plans.

Micky van de Ven, expected to join Tottenham imminently, should take his place beside Cristian Romero in the starting 11, while any deal for Clement Lenglet is seemingly off, with the Frenchman expected to be sold to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr.

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There’s still time for Phillips’ deal to go wayward, but confidence regarding this transfer is sky-high. I wish the same could be said for the prospect of Harry Kane staying in north London.

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