Daniel Levy is renowned for his shrewd attitude on the negotiating table, and the transfer of Hugo Lloris in 2012 served as a quintessential example of his ability to drive a hard bargain.
Conflicting opinions regarding Hugo Lloris’ quality are commonplace within any discussion regarding Tottenham’s number one, but it seems rather foolish to suggest that Mauricio Pochettino should be looking to replace him.
However, that is a viewpoint which has been peddled by plenty of Tottenham supporters following his controversial start to the season away from the field, and his subsequently erratic start in-between the sticks.
Rash moments of brazen madness which seldom have anything other than a disastrous ending for goalkeepers scampering away from the safety of their six-yard box have become a detrimental part of Lloris’ game, and it’s the concerning regularity of these mistakes which have thrown his reputation into disrepute.
But it’s important for both Pochettino and the supporters to acknowledge that this is a particularly tough time for Lloris and brighter times lie ahead. Regardless of his recent slump in form, there’s absolutely no question that he is one of the world’s best on his day, even if those days seem a distant memory at this moment in time.
That Daniel Levy managed to negotiate a deal worth a maximum of £11.9 million for his services in 2012 is a remarkable achievement, and a telling indicator of the chairman’s value to Spurs.
Although 2012 was a completely different economic climate to the one which transfers are completed within in today’s game, it would be reasonable to question how on earth Tottenham were able to conclude a deal for the France World Cup winner at such a modest price.
The answer: Daniel Levy, of course.
Another chairman may well have settled for a higher price, as quotes from the Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas indicate that Levy drove a hard bargain in negotiations (as per Independent).
“We have had people speaking all night with Daniel Levy. He talks a lot and goes back on what we’ve agreed in writing.
“Agreements have not at all been respected. We’ve done what we can. Hugo has been troubled by the difficulty in these negotiations.
“It’s been very, very difficult. I’ve got 25 years of experience as a president of a club and it’s our 16th participation in a European competition in a row. But this is very rare in the football world.
“The negotiation with the Tottenham directors has been the hardest I have ever had to undergo in these 25 years.”
Considering the number of deals Levy has completed with clubs across Europe since he signed Lloris, it’s fair to say that his reputation may have extended beyond the UK and penetrated the continent in years gone by, with Aulas’ words resonating in the minds of a multitude of footballing bigwigs.
Either way it’s fair to say that Levy pulled off a masterstroke in light of how Lloris has developed in his six year spell in north London, and the extent of his rise will guarantee Tottenham’s chairman a commanding position on the negotiating table from which to demand a healthy profit in the event of a rival transfer bid.
In a market in which the top goalkeepers are now commanding fees in the £70 million mark, Levy’s decision to sign Lloris for £11.9 million looks like an incredibly smart piece of business.
Tottenham fans – thoughts? Let us know below!
