Antalyaspor are planning to sell Paul Mukairu for around £4 million with Tottenham Hotspur keen to take the highly-rated winger to the Premier League, as reported by Score Nigeria.
It is fair to say a few things have changed in N17 since The Mirror reported earlier this year (21/02, page 67) that Spurs were confident of sealing a deal for a 21-year-old forward who had caught the eye during a loan spell at Anderlecht.
Jose Mourinho was still scowling on the sidelines at the time. And, if you had uttered the words ‘Fabio Paratici’ on the streets of North London, you’d have been greeted by a rather puzzled expression.
With the former Juventus director now pulling the strings and Nuno Espirito Santo taking over from Mourinho in the hottest of hot seats, there is a chance that Mukairu has been lost in the churn.
Can Paul Mukairu still join Tottenham this summer?
Reports linking the speedy Nigerian with a move to England have been conspicuous by their absence since Mourinho’s departure in April, with Tottenham seemingly turning their attention to other targets.
According to Ajansspor, Mukairu is now expected to return to parent club Antalyaspor to play a key role under coach Ersun Yanal next season.
Anderlecht wanted to sign the winger on a permanent basis but their financial problems made a deal impossible.
That should play into Antalyaspor’s hands, with Score Nigeria claiming the Super Lig outfit are hoping to sell Mukairu for a fee in the region of £4 million this time next year.
The versatile attacker would have departed for just £2 million had Anderlecht triggered the option-to-buy clause in his contract.
But, for Mukairu, has a dream move to a Premier League giant passed him by already? Tottenham appear to be looking elsewhere for now but, if the youngster maintains his rapid rate of development in Turkey, he surely won’t be short of offers in 2022.
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