Pundit fears ‘desperate’ Tottenham paying over the odds after Romano’s multiple-signing reveal
Tottenham could be paying over the odds to sign Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur ahead of Monday’s deadline, according to Kevin Phillips.
The 2000 European Golden Shoe winner, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, fears clubs are inflating their prices for Spurs as it is “common knowledge” they’re “desperate” for new signings.
According to Fabrizio Romano (30 January), Spurs have agreed deals with Juventus for both Kulusevski and Bentancur.
Kulusevski is said to have penned an 18-month loan deal with the London club which includes an obligation to buy if certain requirements are met.
Bentancur will join permanently in a deal worth potentially £20.8million.
The news comes after Spurs missed out on deals for Adama Traore and Luis Diaz earlier this week.
When asked by Football Insider for his thoughts on Tottenham’s business to date, Phillips said: “I think it is difficult to get good deals in January.
“But when you make it common knowledge that you want to sign players then clubs you are talking to hike their prices up. Clubs will sense Spurs are desperate to sign players so they might end up paying over the odds.
“It will take Conte three or four windows to get a squad together that he is happy with. A squad that he thinks is capable of challenging.
“It is a tough situation. Clubs will not let players go cheap now when they know Spurs are desperate.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has slammed Levy’s ‘communication’ after ‘annoyed’ star fumes at Tottenham transfer.