Tottenham Hotspur have named their price for Real Madrid target Christian Eriksen, with AS reporting that Daniel Levy values Spurs’ creative genius at a staggering €250million (£225m). The price tag would make Eriksen the world’s most expensive transfer.
Levy is known to be a tough negotiator and even when Spurs shared a ‘special relationship’ with the Galacticos, he forced the La Liga giants to pay a world-record fee for Gareth Bale.
Spurs fluttered the Bale cash away, however, with seven players brought in to replace the out-going Welshman in a complete overhaul of the squad, but only Eriksen and Erik Lamela are still important figures in North London.
If Real Madrid bite the bullet and agree to pay £225million for the Danish genius, Levy cannot repeat the same glaring past errors. Not to worry though, as Football FanCast provide a run-down of possible players Spurs could sign that would all improve the first-team and make them serious challenges for the Premier League title…
James Rodriguez
Eriksen is the chief creator in the Spurs ranks, so why not take one attacking midfielder from Real as another goes in the opposite direction?
James Rodriguez has been in exile for the past two seasons in a loan deal with Bayern Munich, after falling out of favour in the Spanish capital.
Rodriguez is, however, set to return to his parent club in the summer after stating that he will leave Bayern should Niko Kovac not establish the Colombian as a guaranteed starter in the Bundesliga.
Yet, included in the loan deal between the Bavarian outfit and the Galacticos is a reported €42million (£37.9m) option to buy, and Levy should look to convince Madrid to include that in any negotiations for Eriksen.
Kostas Manolas
Spurs may have just activated their option to extend Toby Alderweireld’s contract by a further season, but he and his Belgium colleague Jan Vertonghen are both edging towards their elder years.
Levy should look to get one over Manchester United, who are continually linked with taking Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager, by beating the Red Devils to the punch and signing Kostas Manolas from Roma.
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United are claimed to be sniffing around his signature, with the Roma sensation yet to commit his future to the Serie A outfit and pen a new contract that would remove a bargain €36million (£32.5m) release clause.
The Greek god would form a formidable long-term partnership with Davison Sanchez, and propel the Lilywhites into a full-blown title assault.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Pochettino may have three right-backs to choose from at present, but Kieran Trippier is the leading contender despite struggling when positioned as an out-and-out right-back.
When fielded as a right-wing-back, Trippier’s performances are better, but the English international still lacks the defensive qualities to place him in the elite category. Serge Aurier and young-charger Kyle Walker-Peters, meanwhile, are an even further cry from joining the world’s best.
Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, however, is showing himself to be one of the Premier League’s best despite plying his trade at Selhurst Park in an underwhelming Eagles side.
The South London club would likely demand a hefty fee for the 21-year-old, far exceeding his £9million TransferMarkt valuation, but he seems worth the investment.
Alex Sandro
There’s no need to stop at replacing one full-back when the other side of the pitch requires attention too. Danny Rose was hotly tipped in the summer to be on his way out of Tottenham, with PSG and Schalke said to be keen on an eye-watering £50million move for the Englishman, and Ben Davies is a consistent option but hardly a world-beater.
Juventus’ star Brazilian left-back Alex Sandro would be a better option for Pochettino by a country mile. The 27-year-old is an elite full-back but has penned a new deal that runs to 2023 – so Tottenham would have to pay a lot for his services.
Nicolo Barella
Spurs would have to act quickly to sign Nicolo Barella, with Chelsea currently chasing the 21-year-old Italian to be Cesc Fabregas’ successor, but the Cagliari star would be amazing at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium when the Lilywhites eventually move in.
Barella has broken into the senior Italy side this season thanks to standout performances at his childhood club, where he has displayed resounding versatility in numerous central roles.
With Mousa Dembele set to leave, Pochettino will be crying out for a midfielder as technically gifted as Barella, who would be an engine at the heart of the pitch.
However, recent performances have seen his value rise to £45million.
Hirving Lozano
Having strengthened the defence and midfield, Levy must finally turn his attention towards the attack by bringing Hirving Lozano to the Premier League.
The 23-year-old sensation more than impressed at the 2018 World Cup by putting on displays for his country that PSV Eindhoven had seen over and over, and earned interest from their former director of football, Everton’s Marcel Brands.
Just before Christmas, Brands was asked about Lozano and stated he would cost around £30million, and Spurs know all about his potential having come up against the 5 foot 9 winger in this season’s Champions League.
So, Tottenham fans, who from the players suggested would you like Levy to bring to the club the most should you lose Christian Eriksen? Let us know by voting below…
