Daniel Levy’s hard stance on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer dealings is a masterstroke.
Tottenham’s Kyle Walker looks dejected
Daniel Levy has reportedly made it clear that no player would be sold against Tottenham’s wishes for non-footballing reasons.
Tottenham’s brilliant 2016-17 Premier League campaign has led to interest from heavyweight clubs for some of their top players.
While Tottenham can offer the Champions league platform, heavyweight Premier league clubs are trying to lure some of Spurs’ players with tempting wage packages.
According to reports from The Mirror, Manchester City are keen on signing Kyle Walker and Danny Rose – both on £70,000-a-week package, while Manchester United are interested in £50,000-a-week Eric Dier.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and his son in the stands
However, Levy has reportedly made it clear that he will not be ripping up the club’s wage structure to counter interest in his top players.
The likes of City and United can offer these players more than double the wages they are on, but Spurs have no plans to alter the deals agreed for those players.
“DL [Levy] said all players were under contracts, contracts they were happy to sign at the time” – an excerpt from recent meetings of the club’s Supporter Trust, as quoted by The Mirror.
“They would be expected to honour those contracts. They wouldn’t have had a reduction if things had gone badly. DL said no player would be sold who Tottenham didn’t want to sell for non-footballing reasons.”
Impact on Kyle Walker’s potential transfer
It sends a clear message that no circumstances will Levy bow down to his players’ demands. Walker has a contract till 2021, and Spurs are under no pressure to sell him.
In case Walker wants to force through a move, Spurs will make sure they get the maximum profit out of the deal, a la Gareth Bale. And his potential suitor will have to pay that amount even if it is over the top.
Walker has been brilliant, but he is not irreplaceable. It will be a blow if he leaves but Spurs can still cope without him.
It is a timely masterstroke from Levy and Spurs. It is a win-win situation for them, and it gives the club an edge in the summer transfer market.
Tottenham’s Kyle Walker
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