Spurs have to sell before buying André Gomes and Cengiz Ünder

Wants Spurs, but needs sales before you can be signed

Transfer Talk

Mauricio Pochettino, as we know, does not want a large squad. He prefers to work with a smaller number and keep them all involved so they feel a part of something and not just a player who is going to sit on a bench every now and then.

Daniel Levy obviously isn't going to pay high wages for players who are not going to be involved, thus it is vital that we sign the right player and not just any player.

I asked, do you try for the whole window to sign your first choice player or do you just sign your 3rd just to make an early signing? The vast majority agreed with me, that you keep trying to sign your first choice and have a player or players in waiting towards the end of the window as you backup options.

We used to be stuck with deadwood that we couldn't shift and thus couldn't sign players, we are in the same situation again.

We have no non-homegrown places available in our Premier League squad, thus we can't sign any at the moment until we can offload players. Other clubs are thus in no hurry to sign them, there are plenty of loan offers, but no formal bids.

Exactly what a section of our fans complain about Levy doing (demonstrating they don't really understand how transfers work) is what other clubs do and are doing. Why should they bid early in the window when they can wait and put time pressure on us to let them go cheap. They know we want to sign players so they have a hand to play and if they are clubs abroad, then they don't even have to bid before our window shuts, they can still buy until the end of August.

That is the dilemma. Simply shouting spend and moaning at Levy is just ignoring the context of the situation. It's a balancing act and we usually come out on top. What we must not forget is we have a strong squad and we haven't lost anyone yet.

When we can offload some then we can act. Preparation work will all have been done, targets sounded out and those we are particularly interested in will know exactly our situation and when we can move for them.

Let's have a look at a few players then.

André Gomes

TV3 [considered by Barça fans to be a reliable source]: Arsenal have asked about 24-year-old (25 later this month) André Gomes but no formal talks have taken place or offers arrived.

Other reports suggest that Gomes was offered to Arsenal by Barcelona who are keen to sell him before they leave for their pre-season trip to America, where they will play us.

Sport suggest they have told Arsenal that he will cost £17.86 million (€20m while RMC1 say Arsenal won't pay £26.79 million (€30m) for him, having bought him from Valencia for £31.25 million (€35m) plus £17.86 million (€20m) add-ons, which obviously won't all be payable now.

RMC1 say Gomes has also been offered to Valencia for £26.79 million (€30m) while Mundo Deportivo suggests Tottenham are leading the chase amid stories his choice of destination would be Spurs.

Can't be signed until we have a non-homegrown place available.

Cengiz Ünder

Turkish news outlet Hurriyet says Tottenham Hotspur want 21-year-old (22 next July) AS Roma winger Cengiz Ünder. They suggest he will command a fee above £31.25 million (€35m). They suggest Spurs will make an approach for the Turkish sensation 'in the coming days'.

Ünder is a player Spurs were reported of having a deal with last summer so he is a long-term target we have continued to watch the progress of. Roma are reported to want a quick sale.

Is he Pochettino's third choice behind 22-year-old (23 in December) Manchester United wide attacker Anthony Martial and 21-year-old (22 next February) Bordeaux man Malcom?

Can't be signed until we have a non-homegrown place available.

Player Sales and Loans

Fanatik understands that Fenerbahce are keen to hold negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur over a potential transfer for Mousa Dembele. The Turkish club also hold an interest in signing Moussa Sissoko, Vincent Janssen and Georges-Kévin N'Koudou on loan this summer.

Any of these leaving will release a non-homegrown place.

COYS

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Spurs have to sell before buying André Gomes and Cengiz Ünder