Tottenham wanted Moussa Dembele this summer but the striker is planning to wait and become a free agent in 2023.
Tottenham needed to find a striker this summer in order to offer quality competition for Harry Kane up top.
They finally got the striker they wanted, paying a huge fee to land Richarlison from Everton earlier this month.
Richarlison will now give Tottenham the versatile goalscoring threat they wanted ahead of their return to the Champions League.
Yet what about the strikers Tottenham considered but didn’t sign?
Tottenham wanted Moussa Dembele
One name mentioned was Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, weeks before Tottenham secured Richarlison.
Foot Mercato in France reported that Tottenham were chasing a deal worth up to £25million for Dembele.
Dembele’s name will be familiar to Tottenham fans; he allegedly failed a medical in 2016 when Spurs tried to sign him from Fulham.
The Frenchman instead went to Celtic, smashed 51 goals in 94 games and earned himself a big move to Lyon in 2018.
Fast forward four years and Dembele is still scoring goals, smashing 21 in 30 league outings last season.
The 26-year-old may still be fancied by some inside Tottenham – if there is still anybody left since 2016!
L’Equipe now offer an update on Dembele, claiming that whilst Lyon want to sell him this summer, the striker is preferring to wait.
Dembele becomes a free agent next summer and rather than be sold off now, he seemingly wants his pick of the club next summer.
Dembele needs to be careful though; his stock is high after a 21-goal season but Lyon have just re-signed Alexandre Lacazette and Dembele may be in danger of being pushed onto the bench – especially with his contract situation.
A cheap deal will appeal to many Premier League clubs but Tottenham surely won’t be making a move now.
Richarlison is the attacker Tottenham really wanted and there just isn’t a need for Dembele anymore – even if Lyon are so willing to cash in.
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