Tottenham tipped to accept offer for Yves Bissouma's 'big mate'
Pape Matar Sarr will have to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer if he is going to play any minutes on the pitch.
That is the opinion of former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 23-year-old now faces significant competition in the middle of the pitch following the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, and has reportedly been put up for sale.
Sarr is under contract until 2030 and made 26 Premier League appearances last season, appearing solely off the bench after Roberto De Zerbi's arrival.
The Senegal international is one of several players heading out of North London this summer, with Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Cristian Romero expected to follow Luka Vuskovic.
Tottenham's expenditure is expected to surge past £300million with the signing of Savinho, with sales hoped to recoup some of that money.
Pape Sarr tipped to complete Tottenham move
Tottenham's midfield has been targeted by De Zerbi this summer as an area for complete overhaul.
Conor Gallagher had already arrived from Atletico Madrid in January and is a part of that rebuild, which has also seen Yves Bissouma leave on a free transfer.
Tottenham will also have James Maddison back and available for selection after his ACL injury, but they continue to face a long wait on Xavi Simons and Dejan Kulusevski.
"They've already got rid of, they've already got rid of his mate, haven't they? Bissouma," King told Football Insider when asked about Sarr's situation.
"Again, new manager. He's got Maddison. He's got the boy from Newcastle, Tonali. He's got Gallagher. He's pretty strong in midfield, isn't he?
"If they bring in the kid from Man City, wide player, they get Kulusevski back. I think it's time to move on Sarr. Where's he going to play?
"And these players, you usually lose them during the winter months, don't you? If they're going to play in the Africa Cup of Nations."
Pape Sarr could represent market opportunity
Despite enjoying less game time last season, Sarr remains a talented option in midfield.
In the 2024-25 season, the 23-year-old made 55 appearances across all competitions and was one of Ange Postecoglou's most trusted players.
At still such a young age, especially for a central midfield, Sarr's 107 Premier League appearances make him a potential market opportunity this summer.
If a club like Nottingham Forest, for example, can offer a fee deemed suitable by Tottenham, they will gain a player with a far higher ceiling than a potential price tag may suggest.