Tottenham line up five more transfer exits before pre-season tour after £26m Bergwijn deal

Premier League transfer update

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Tottenham agreed the £26million sale of Steven Bergwijn to Ajax on Tuesday, but five more stars could potentially be on their way out before Spurs head on their pre-season tour to South Korea on Saturday. Daniel Levy and sporting director Fabio Paratici have been hard at work introducing new signings this summer, but outgoings could be just as important when it comes to restoring harmony in the squad. 

Antonio Conte’s future was momentarily in doubt at the start of the summer, with the Italian seeking assurances from the Spurs hierarchy that their ambitions were on the same page. Several weeks later, four new faces have already been brought in and two more are believed to be in the pipeline. 

Richarlison and Yves Bissouma have both been signed for hefty sums, while Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster arrived in north London on free transfers. There is hope that Djed Spence and Clement Lenglet will join them in the coming days, even if a deal for Everton’s Anthony Gordon is gradually slipping away. 

To avoid the squad becoming overcrowded, Conte and co will need to ruthlessly trim the fat – preferably before full blown pre-season preparations begin. Bergwijn is already set to bank the club £26m, with the winger ready to reignite his career in the familiar territory of Amsterdam. 

JUST IN: Chelsea ‘tracking’ bargain Raphinha alternative as Todd Boehly’s back-up plan takes shape

One of the first players to follow Bergwijn out of the exit door could be youngster Jack Clarke. The Lilywhites shelled out £10m to sign him from Leeds back in 2019, but the 21-year-old has managed just four senior appearances since, in amongst a series of loan spells elsewhere. Spurs are reportedly open to a permanent exit, with Sheffield United and Sunderland in contention. 

Conte and co would undoubtedly be keen for Tanguy Ndombele to find a new home too. The Frenchman is still one of the club’s highest earners, but his career has fallen off a cliff since Tottenham shelled out a club-record fee to sign him from Lyon in 2019. 

DON’T MISS: Cristiano Ronaldo being pushed towards Manchester United exit door by two players

Ndombele’s massive wages may pose a stumbling block to his prospective exit this summer, along with one or two worrying signs during his stint in north London. Most notably, the 25-year-old angered fans by sauntering off after a poor display against Morecambe last term, and his work rate has often been criticised. There have been murmurs of a loan move to Galatasaray, but nothing appears imminent. 

Giovani Lo Celso is another expensive acquisition that has not gelled with Conte’s tactical set-up. The Argentine went on loan to Villarreal last season but the Spanish side may not be in a position to shell out for a permanent deal, while Fiorentina have also reportedly entered the equation. 

Having signed both Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur during his first 12 months at the helm, Conte is not thought to have a need for Harry Winks going forward. Everton and Leeds United were rumoured to be interested, but the Toffees have since distanced themselves from the 26-year-old and the Whites have agreed on a move for RB Leipzig midfielder Tyler Adams. 

Finally, fans held out high hopes for Spanish youngster Bryan Gil after he arrived in a swap deal involving Erik Lamela last year. The 21-year-old impressed on loan at Valencia last season, and it is thought that Cadiz are interested in putting together another loan offer so that the winger can gain more experience before being phased into the Spurs first team. 

All told, Conte may wish to offload the quintet before his side jet off on Saturday, but finding new homes for each of them, whether temporary or permanent, may be a tall order. 

Source: Read Full Article