When the subject of Tottenham Hotspur’s alleged interest was brought up, the former Premier League misfit could not help but laugh.
Why, he wondered aloud, were these rumours being dredged up again, at a time in which he is clearly enjoying his football after that highly-forgettable spell at Nottingham Forest in the 2022/23 campaign.
Loic Bade joined Sevilla from Rennes on a permanent deal last summer to the tune of £10 million.
Now, the former Rennes and RC Lens stopper did appear to confirm, a few months back, that Tottenham were indeed ‘interested’, admitting to Estadio Deportivo that he felt a great deal of pride after catching the eye of a club of Spurs’ size and stature.
But as far is Bade is concerned, there are more pressing matters to attend to. Namely, ensuring that Sevilla are still a La Liga team in 2023/24, and further developing a partnership with the veteran Sergio Ramos which has shown real signs of promise since the appointment of ex-Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores.
Loic Bade asked about Tottenham Hotspur links
“Yes, I feel very good here. I’m comfortable, I’m working well, I’m trying to progress,” Bade says before breaking into a chuckle as Ange Postecoglou’s Premier League giants were brought into the discussion, via El Desmarque.
“I’m at Sevilla. I don’t know why you’re talking to me about Tottenham.”
24-year-old Bade, a former France Under 21 international, did not make a single appearance for Nottingham Forest in England’s top flight, seeing his loan spell at the City Ground cut short in the winter.
But if Bade feels that he has unfinished business on UK soil, then he’s not showing it.
“There is a little satisfaction. When a big club like Tottenham is interested, it’s because you do good things,” Bade told Estadio Deportivo recently.
“I like the city. I feel very good here. If I have to stay here for twenty years, I will. Yes of course (I can envisage staying in Seville), because I’m fine.
“I’m very comfortable.”
Spurs are looking at midfielders and forwards
Bade has started 12 of the last 14 La Liga games in Sevilla colours, the Andalusian giants now six points clear of the relegation zone with only eight matchdays remaining.
Tottenham, meanwhile, appear to be prioritising midfielders and forwards after bringing in Radu Dragusin from Genoa in a £26 million deal in January. HITC understands there is interest in Fenerbahce’s Ismail Yuksek, Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber and also Joao Gomes, the ever-improving Wolves ace who scored a brace in North London in February.
Spurs are also still in hot pursuit of Antonio Nusa. The £25 million-rated Club Brugge starlet held talks with Tottenham in January as well as Brentford, but saw a move collapse due to injury concerns.
“First and foremost, I had always intended to stay here until the summer. That also makes it much easier today,” Nusa now tells Het Nieuwsblad, insisting that the plan was always to see out the current campaign in Belgium.
“Suddenly a lot started to move. I spoke a few times with Brentford, including the coach Thomas Frank), and was very excited. In the end, it didn’t happen. It’s things you can’t control.”
“All I can say is that I am 100 per cent fit and never had any problems with that knee. In the end, it also became clear that there was no problem.
“I really can’t say what will happen (in the summer). This season, I had to miss a lot of matches. Now I want to play as much as possible. I can’t rule out staying here, but I also can’t rule out leaving. At the moment everything is open.”
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