Tottenham told to scrap Allan Saint-Maximin move as wonderkid signing mooted – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested Tottenham should snub a move for Allan Saint-Maximin and look to “plan for the future” by signing “up-and-coming talent”.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Spurs can emulate Arsenal and Liverpool by swooping for long-term replacements for Harry Kane, 28, and Heung-min Son, 29.
According to football.london (4 June), Tottenham are weighing up a move for Saint-Maximin – with director of football Fabio Paratici said to be a “big admirer” of the player.
The Daily Mail claim (2 April) Newcastle would listen to £50million offers for the French winger despite him committing to a six-year contract in 2020.
However, Whelan insisted Tottenham should instead be looking to usher in the “next generation”.
He cited the transfer of 19-year-old Fabio Carvalho – who joined Liverpool from Fulham last month.
When asked if Tottenham should look to youth instead of signing Saint-Maximin, he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “If there’s nothing coming through the academy, I think they’ve got to look to bringing in up-and-coming talent.
“Whether that’s in Europe or in South America, they’ve got to start looking for longevity.
“That’s one thing that Arsenal have been doing, introducing their academy players into the first team.
“I think they’re going to have to look towards a new crop at some point. We’ve seen Liverpool plan for the future as well with Fabio Carvalho.
“They’ve got to start looking at bringing in the next generation to succeed the likes of Kane and Son.”
Tottenham will play Champions League football in the 2022-23 season.
They have already completed the signing of Ivan Perisic this summer.
In other news, expert backs Spurs to move for Wilfried Zaha this summer amid exit verdict.