Potter and Postecoglou have missed outPotter and Postecoglou have missed out
Potter and Postecoglou have missed out | Getty Images
Tottenham and West Ham are said to be missing out on a bargain signing this summer.
Tottenham will miss out on one of their transfer targets this summer as they continue to mull over their managerial situation. Spurs are yet to decide who will be in charge next summer after a disastrous Premier League campaign.
On the face of it, it looks like a plus that Spurs are taking their time to consider their options, but there is also a big downside. Players are far less likely to sign up for a project when they don’t know who is going to lead that project. That may well have been the case for Tottenham target Angel Gomes, who was available on a free transfer from Lille this summer after he allowed his contract to run down.
The former Manchester United midfielder had held talks with Spurs and West Ham, but it seems he has chosen to go elsewhere. According to TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Gomes rejected Spurs and the Hammers in favour of a move to Marseille. Crook posted “Angel Gomes has rejected #THFC to join Marseille. Also held talks with #WHUFC.“
Gomes was a catch
That’s a big blow for Spurs, with Gomes an attractive target having racked up more than 100 league appearances for Lille, while he is still only 24 and an England international. Speaking to The Athletic in the past about his decision to leave Manchester United, the midfielder said: “It’s a big gamble leaving United, leaving my home in Manchester, going into the unknown. I felt like I took a thousand steps backward, but it’s all coming to fruition.”
On his playing style, he added: “I would like to say I am just a midfielder. I can operate in all three roles: I can play as the deep-lying midfielder, I can play as a No 8, I can play as a No 10. I just love to play in the midfield and be able to distribute and help the team play in all different areas of the pitch. I am confident. I like keeping the ball, I like taking responsibility.”
Tottenham may now find some urgency in their manager search now that they are seeing the real cost of their slow decision-making. Meanwhile, West Ham will be equally as disappointed to miss out.
This is a big summer for Graham Potter, who needs a strong start to the season, and with a new striker and other positions in need of strengthening, they could have done with a high-level freebie signing in the middle of the park. The Hammers will now have to pivot, and it’s likely their spending bill will be higher as a result. A midfield signing will almost certainly be high on Potter’s agenda ahead of next season, along with attacking signings, and more attackers could be required depending on the future of Mohammed Kudus.
Continue Reading