For Spurs failing to ensure Champions League football for next season could be a disaster.
Here are five stars who could be tempted to leave White Hart Lane if the season’s final five fixtures continue the club’s downwards spiral.
Luka Modric
If Spurs do miss out on fourth, hanging onto Luka Modric will be their biggest challenge. Even if they do secure it, keeping the Croatian is no guarantee. Chelsea made a big play for him last summer, causing him to hand in a transfer request, while Manchester United are also believed to be long-time admirers. Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko made a plea on Twitter this weekend for him to join him at Eastlands too, which will only have got him thinking if he has seen it. For City- Modric is a clear step up from the likes of David Pizarro and James Milner, and they could afford any of Tottenham’s transfer demands.
Rafael van der Vaart
The problem for Tottenham is that if they sell Modric, the squad could tumble like a pack of cards, as disengaged players reconsider the club’s ambition. Van der Vaart was a player who seemed affected by Modric’s malaise at the start of the season, and only seemed to settle when the Croatian failed to clinch a move as deadline day passed. The Dutchman will want to play Champions League football, and will taste the top level with Holland at Euro 2012 this summer and could start pushing for a transfer himself.
Sandro
Brazilian Sandro is highly rated by several European clubs, mainly off the back of his performance against AC Milan in the San Siro a year ago. Roma have been linked with his signature, and a move to a top Serie A club could appeal to the midfielder. Sandro has only been a bit-part player this season, mainly due to the form of Scott Parker, and could also be tempted by the carrot of regular football. Tottenham would miss him, but his exit would not harm them in the same way Luka Modric’s would. Despite this week stating he is happy at Spurs, there is every chance his head could be turned if the right offer comes along.
Gareth Bale
We realise this one may be a long shot, but the rumours have already begun. The Mail linked Barcelona with a £30 million swoop for the Welsh wing wizard last week, and Real Madrid and Inter Milan are also keen admirers. We feel personally that Bale is far more likely to stay than go, he is the one man chairman Daniel Levy will be most reluctant to sell, but if a mega-offer comes in and the player declares a wish to go, would it be better for Spurs to accept?
Emmanuel Adebayor
We realise Adebayor is only a loan signing, but for argument’s sake he has been a Spurs player this season. However we can’t see this continuing if the club miss out on fourth. There will be plenty of teams interested in the Togo striker, who proved with Real Madrid he can adapt to life outside the Premier League. Who knows, there could even be a surprise reconciliation with Roberto Mancini and City- after the Tevez saga nothing can be ruled out.
image: © wonker
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