Tottenham are likely to be busy in the summer transfer window.
Alen Halilovic is just another example of being a Barcelona teenage prodigy that has failed to hit the heights expected of him, as he is set to suffer two relegations in one season.
The 21-year-old joins an illustrious list that includes the likes of Bojan, Isaac Cuenca and Munir that have failed to hit the heights despite impressing as teenagers in Barcelona’s esteemed La Masia academy.
Tottenham were reportedly interested in the young Croatian back in the summer of 2016, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, but instead he moved to German side Hamburg.
However, just six months later he was loaned to La Liga outfit Las Palmas where he has remained since. That loan spell expires at the end of the season, with Las Palmas now confirmed as relegated from the top tier of Spanish football.
He will return to Hamburg, where the German side have also suffered the same fate, leaving playmaker Halilovic with a big summer ahead of him.
In fairness to the nine-time Croatia international, he has been injured for much of 2017-18 campaign with an ankle problem, leaving him to make only 18 appearances in total.
So, did Tottenham dodge a bullet? On the outset, signing Halilovic would have seen him end up in the same category as the likes of Clinton N’Jie and Georges N’Koudou.
But the attacking midfielder’s injury problems have prevented him from displaying his true ability, one that can unlock defences with the flick of his right boot.
But with his potential yet to materialise into proven quality, Spurs have certainly dodged what could have been another example of an expensive youngster turning out to be a waste of money. Indeed, a good decision from chairman Daniel Levy to overlook the former Barcelona star.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
