Tottenham won’t be signing Ruslan Malinovskyi having backed out of the race to sign the Atalanta playmaker, with Marseille now favourites to sign him.
Fabio Paratici got most of Tottenham’s summer business done early but Spurs are surely in the market for a signing or two ahead of the deadline.
A winger or playmaker appears to be the focus for Tottenham, with Bryan Gil on the verge of completing another loan move to Valencia.
Hakim Ziyech, Daniel James and Adama Traore are just some of the names mentioned, but it looks like Malinovskyi can be crossed off the list.
Tottenham won’t be signing Ruslan Malinovskyi
Reports from Tutto Atalanta earlier this month suggested that Tottenham are closing in on a deal for Malinovskyi.
The Ukrainian was understood to be keen on a move to North London, but the two clubs were haggling.
Tottenham wanted a loan with option to buy whilst Atalanta wants to sell right away.
A move to Spurs seemingly isn’t on the cards anymore though as L’Equipe report that Tottenham have removed themselves from the race for Malinovskyi.
As relayed by Get French Football News, Tottenham was Malinovskyi’s first choice but Spurs are no longer interested.
That means a move to Marseille looks likely before Thursday’s deadline, with the LIgue 1 club desperate to sign him.
Should Malinovskyi make that move to Marseille, he would ended up going up against Tottenham in the Champions League group stage following Thursday’s draw.
Malinovskyi, 29, hit 10 goals and seven assists last season and has a reputation for scoring from range with his hammer of a left foot.
A creative midfielder with real goalscoring ability, Malinovskyi could have brought something different to this Tottenham side, especially off the bench.
Tottenham were never going to spend big on a player with such limited resale value though and that may well be why they have walked away from a possible deal.
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