If only every transfer went as smoothly for Tottenham as Phillips deal

Tottenham signed Ashley Phillips on Friday for £2 million, and unlike most transfers, everything went according to plan.

Certain conditions made this particular transfer easier than most. First, we’re not talking about heaps of cash, a mere pittance compared to most modern-day deals.

Additionally, Phillips’ mind was set from the onset. He wanted to sign for Tottenham, making it immeasurably easier for the club to execute its strategy.

Blackburn changed the conditions of the initial deal at the eleventh hour, a tactic that backfired like Bayern Munich’s deadline ultimatum.

Spurs were willing to pay up to £5 million for the 18-year-old centre-back, a more-than-fair fee for a defender yet to make his top-flight debut.

Instead of taking the fee and making a tidy profit on a player they were bound to lose regardless, the financially destitute Rovers got greedy, raising the asking price to £9 million.

No club, not even those with more money than sense (I’m referring to you, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United), was willing to pay such an exorbitant fee.

No way, not going to happen. Even if Phillips’ £2 million escape clause didn’t exist, that price is far too swollen, like somebody suffering an allergic reaction after being stung by a bee.

Spurs’ strategy wouldn’t have worked if Phillips preferred another club. Then again, that applies to every transfer. The player must agree to personal terms before a transfer can be finalized.

So Spurs waited for Friday when the escape clause kicked in.

Rarely does a plan go off without a hitch like this one, which, admittedly, was aided by Blackburn’s greed and short-sightedness.

Rovers’ loss is Spurs’ gain, as Phillips represents a brilliant value-for-money bit of business.

He’s a player for the future, one whose market value will soar if he reaches his full potential at Hotspur Way, a likely scenario under Ange’s stewardship.