What does Reguilon buy-back clause say about Tottenham?

Follow us on Google Discover

Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Real Madrid left back Sergio Reguilon, according to the BBC.

The Guardian have also shed some light on details in the deal, including Spurs’ acceptance of both a buy-back clause and one which allows Madrid to match any offer for the Spaniard.

What do these details tell us about how Tottenham are operating now? It doesn’t feel like Daniel Levy would have agreed to such a deal before Jose Mourinho’s appointment.

Levy is known as one of the toughest negotiators in the game. It’s hard to see him liking the idea that a club could come in and poach one of his top players, for a set fee, without him being able to do anything about it.

The Guardian report says that figure is around 45 million euros (£41.5 million).

That’s less than the £45 million the Independent claim Levy was able to get out of Manchester City for Kyle Walker back in 2017.

It also gives the impression Reguilon is more of a short-term signing, which is another indication that Jose Mourinho’s thinking is influencing Levy’s.

Mourinho is not a manager who plans for the future or buys with any regard for the time period after his reign ends at a particular club.

If he gets two years out of Reguilon before the Spaniard goes back to Madrid, that’ll suit Mourinho.

That won’t suit Levy, who faces the prospect of being powerless to stop a man who could grow into one of football’s elite left backs leaving for a relative bargain.

Levy likely also wouldn’t have considered a 28-year-old right back in Matt Doherty without Mourinho being in charge either.

Plenty wondered how Mourinho and Levy would work together, but at present it feels like the Portuguese is holding the upper hand.