Espanyol are now considering a move to hire Pape Matar Sarr from Tottenham Hotspur on loan. The La Liga outfit had initially rejected an offer to secure a transfer for the midfielder.
That is according to La Grada, which reports that Espanyol initially turned down the chance to sign Sarr from Tottenham. An unspecified party presented the Senegal star as an option for the RCDE Stadium natives. But they felt he lacks the experience Diego Martinez desires.
Yet the Periquitos are now revisiting his situation in north London as Sarr’s other traits can prove beneficial. Espanyol are willing to usher their concerns over the 20-year-old’s lack of experience into the long grass. They feel his physical power fits Martinez’s desired profile.
Martinez longs to sign a new defensive midfielder in the mid-season market who will offer a physical presence. Sevilla also admire Sarr due to his robust stature but he does not look fondly on their approach. The Spurs star accepts he would struggle to earn minutes there.
Sarr also accepts he will struggle to earn much game time should he remain at Tottenham beyond this transfer window. Antonio Conte is unwilling to provide the £20k-a-week gem with a prominent place in north London. But Espanyol would provide him with a key role.
Conte’s lack of faith in Sarr at Tottenham has Espanyol interested in his transfer
Reports by Calciomercato have also now listed Espanyol as a suitor for Sarr should he and Tottenham agree that a transfer is required in January. Conte has only used the 12-cap star in four games across all competitions so far this term. He has played just 200 minutes, too.
Sarr earned 90 of those minutes against League One side Portsmouth in the FA Cup. Conte started the midfielder at home to Pompey and would also then start him against Arsenal in the north London derby. But it was Sarr’s only start in a Premier League fixture this season.
Conte’s assistant coach, Cristian Stellini, has been full of praise for what Sarr can offer this season, though. Now, Conte’s lack of faith in Sarr at Tottenham has Espanyol interested in a loan transfer for the midfielder who Fabio Paratici signed from FC Metz for £14.5m in 2021.
“He can do everything because he’s a great player with many possibilities,” Stellini said, via football.london. “He’s a midfielder who can play in many positions. He’s a talented player.”
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