Tottenham supporters in the Transfer Tavern are eagerly anticipating the 2018/19 Premier League season following the news that manager Mauricio Pochettino and striker Harry Kane have penned long-term deals with the club.
Argentine Pochettino took over as Spurs boss back in 2014 and has since transformed the North Londoners into one of the best teams in the country, having secured three successive top four finishes in the Premier League. And 24-year-old Kane has become one of the best strikers in world football in recent years having scored 140 goals in just 213 games for Tottenham, with his tally of 41 last term his highest ever in a single season.
As such, there are many excited and expectant Spurs supporters in the Tavern at present, several of whom are unlikely to be overly thrilled with recent reports suggesting that Manchester United want £75 million for Anthony Martial this summer.
And while many may feel that the price-tag could be too much for Pochettino’s men, they must prove their big club status by indeed paying the £75 million for the exciting 22-year-old during the close season.
Ultimately, while Tottenham deserve great credit for three times qualifying for the Champions League, it’s clear that to make the next step, further financial investment is needed in the playing squad – Pochettino himself urged chairman Daniel Levy to ‘be brave’ in this summer’s transfer window.
Yet Spurs simply do not pay the big money and big wages in comparison to the likes of United, Manchester City, and Chelsea, with many of the view that their prudent nature and strict wage structure is in fact what is holding them back from winning major honours.
And while it appears unlikely to many in the Tavern that Levy will stump up £75m for Martial, they should do exactly that, as they would be getting a hugely talented individual not only for the present, but for the future as well.
Clearly, the France international, who failed to make their squad for this summer’s World Cup, has endured a testing time at Old Trafford since Jose Mourinho’s appointment as manager two years ago, with the forward mustering just 26 starts in all competitions for the Red Devils last term.
And while he still managed 11 goals and nine assists for the Premier League giants, it’s pretty evident that Martial is frustrated with life at United, with the forward himself looking a far cry away from the man that took English football by storm in his debut campaign back in 2015/16.
But a fresh start somewhere else could be exactly what he needs to reignite his career, not least at a club like Tottenham in need of greater depth in the attacking ranks, and under a manager like Pochettino who backs his players even during the tough times.
And if Spurs are serious about challenging for major honours on a regular basis in the coming years, they may have to spend £75m on one player – that appears to be the going rate nowadays.
And were they to do just that on Martial, it would further underline their current status as one of the big clubs in English football.
Tottenham fans… what do you think? Let us know!
