---
title: "Tottenham Hotspur: Lilywhites face competition for Ilaix Moriba"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-lilywhites-face-competition-for-ilaix-moriba/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sean Clifford"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-08-29T13:40:07Z"
modified: "2021-08-29T13:40:07Z"
---

# Tottenham Hotspur: Lilywhites face competition for Ilaix Moriba

**Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Barcelona wonderkid Ilaix Moriba, as rival interest from RB Leipzig has emerged this weekend \[[Sunday Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1483381/tottenham-hotspur-ilaix-moriba-barcelona-premier-league-transfer-news)\].**

### The Lowdown: Moriba at the centre of a contract wrangle at the Camp Nou

No stranger to the limelight, Moriba has become something of a thorn in the side of the Barcelona hierarchy after failing to sign a new contract at the Catalan giants this summer \[[GOAL](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ilaix-moriba-contract-dispute-barcelona-teenager-frozen-out/11y0m3et3jysz1sgdjwoo36pig)\].

He has allegedly asked for around £100k-p/w to renew terms, angering Camp Nou chiefs and eventually being frozen out of their squad \[[Sport Bible](https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-transfers-barcelona-are-furious-with-player-who-wants-100k-pay-rise-20210820)\].

The youngster is regarded as one of the most prodigious talents to come through the famed La Masia academy in a long time, once even labelled ‘the future of the club’ by Ronald Koeman \[[GOAL](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ill-take-this-to-my-grave-barcelona-wonderkid-moriba/1kb4xfubkkbme17f3mke1xgfqe)\].

However, that future may lay elsewhere.

\[freshpress-poll id=”372060″\]

### The Latest: Future set to be decided in the next 24 hours

Tottenham are set to find out the trajectory of the 6 foot 1 ace’s next move in the next 24 hours, with his current employers open to cashing in on his services due to their financial difficulties \[[Sunday Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1483381/tottenham-hotspur-ilaix-moriba-barcelona-premier-league-transfer-news)\].

RB Leipzig are also hot on his tail, potentially creating a problem for the Lilywhites due to the German outfit’s reputation of offering regular first-team football to young stars.

Though they are reportedly £5 million short of matching the valuation set by Barca, the Bundesliga side are said to have offered tempting personal terms which Spurs would be unable to match.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”368197″\]

### The Verdict: Tottenham should prioritise Moriba

Likely to cost a pretty penny in terms of wage expenditure, any advancement in Tottenham’s willingness to lure the 18-year-old to N17 should be on the premise that he features regularly in a senior environment.

Bringing a bustling presence in the midfield, the Guinean-born anchor man showcased his capabilities effortlessly last term, registering four goal contributions from 18 appearances from deep; one goal and three assists \[[Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilaix-moriba/leistungsdaten/spieler/617074/plus/0?saison=2020)\].

Backing up plaudits, his successful pass accuracy rate of 91.6% across the campaign would help to bring some control to the Spurs midfield, potentially being a vital asset in high-profile encounters \[[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/409030/History/Ilaix-Moriba)\].

He was once dubbed as ‘incredible’ by ex Barca B coach Garcia Pimenta, and surely improve further with more first XI exposure \[[SB Nation](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/barca-b/2020/7/20/21331441/ilaix-moriba-konrad-de-la-fuente-earn-big-praise-from-garcia-pimienta)\].

Should they be able to offer Moriba the guarantees of being an imminently important figure in their starting line-up, there is no reason why Tottenham should not look to close the deal and add another future midfield star to the signing of Pape Matar Sarr.

***In other news, a Tottenham legend has dropped their verdict on a Lilywhites defender. Find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-transfer-rumours/exclusive-spurs-legend-drops-big-aurier-transfer-verdict/).***