Santo landed a Serie A star this summer in a deal that could help Tottenhamplaceholder image
Santo landed a Serie A star this summer in a deal that could help Tottenham | Getty Images
Tottenham could now get the chance to seal an exit in a deal that would suit all parties.
A Nottingham Forest transfer looks to have carved a path for Tottenham to offload a player this summer. This summer transfer window is key for Spurs, who need to take a big leap from last season, with Thomas Frank hoping to lead a charge for the European spots, while a solid Champions League run will also be expected.
Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha and others have been signed in a bid to make that happen, and more arrivals are expected, with another winger and a striker expected, while Frank may also want to add depth to other areas.
One of the players who could depart is £21.6million signing Bryan Gil, who has struggled to have an impact in North London since his 2021 arrival. Gil has had three loan spells since, including one with Girona last season.
Ange Postecoglou said a couple of months before Gil’s departure: “It’s not an issue with me. Yeah, there was a bit of interest in Bryan, a bit of interest in a lot of our players, but I’ve said this before it is not my role to push people out in that kind of situation. I still very much regard them as our players and Bryan is a fantastic young player. He works so hard to improve every day and this first half of the year he’s had a couple of injuries.
“People shouldn’t underestimate that, especially in a set-up like ours where most of the guys who had a strong pre-season are the ones that hit the ground running. He missed out on that but he wants to improve, loves the environment and we love having him part of the group. He’s still a young player with plenty of time to develop and happy to have him around for this second half of the year.”
Gil went on to make 25 league appearances with Girona last season, which is one more than he has made in total with Tottenham so far. The young Spaniard suffered a nasty knee injury going into the summer, and speaking following an operation , he said: “I am focusing on recovering and returning as best as possible. I haven't been overly concerned about the future. My agent will let me know how things will unfold. But the best option for me is the non-consolidation with Tottenham.”
On his struggles with Tottenham, he added: “I have no issues or negative feelings between us and Tottenham. Quite the opposite. Tottenham took a chance on me when I was young, and honestly, they treated me quite well. If I have to return there, I will focus on giving my best as always. I remain calm. No one can say I am unprofessional. I have always trained well and have done what I needed to do. Therefore, whatever happens will happen. Let’s see where we are next year."
Gil could now leave
Gil has been linked with a permanent exit as he works his way back to fitness, and according to Corriere dello Sport, the attacking midfielder has been offered to Bologna this summer. Bologna lost creative spark Dan Ndoye to Nottingham Forest this summer, and Gil could fulfil the same role.
It’s claimed Spurs sporting chief Fabio Paratici offered Gil to Bologna sporting director Giovanni Sartori recently, and there is an interest in further exploration int the deal from the Bologna side.
How much Tottenham would ask for Gil remains to be seen, but it seems they do have credible hope of offloading the 24-year-old this summer, and there is little doubt that the Spaniard does need a fresh start.
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