Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, Duncan Castles has claimed that Tottenham had agreed a deal with Julen Lopetegui before Brexit rules forced him to pull the plug on the deal.
Lopetegui has been linked with Tottenham, and it seems as though Spurs were very keen to make the move happen, agreeing to pay the €5m release clause in his Sevilla contract.
What’s been said?
Castles claims that a very good source has told him that Spurs were very close to hiring the 54-year-old before Brexit rules scuppered the deal.
“The also, I have from a very good source, went a long way down the line with Julen Lopetegui, the Sevilla coach. They had agreed terms to release him from his contract, so he has a €5m release clause with the Spanish club and they had agreed terms on a contract, but for personal reasons related to family matters and because of changes brought about on movement of individuals due to Brexit, Lopetegui pulled out of the deal,” Castles said.
Missed opportunity
Lopetegui would have been a very interesting appointment, and this may be something we look back on as a missed opportunity for Spurs.
The Spaniard is a great manager, having taken charge of the Spanish national team and Real Madrid in the past, while he’s also a Europa League winner, having won that competition in 2020.
Unfortunately for Tottenham, issues related to Brexit have scuppered this deal, and we’re left wondering what could have been.
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