Spurs patrons in the Transfer Tavern regularly chew our landlord’s ear off with criticism of the club’s transfer policy last summer.
Whilst the Lilywhites are on course for Champions League qualification for a second consecutive season, there’s a feeling the team could have done more this term – suffering elimination from the Champions League, EFL Cup and Europa League.
That’s undoubtedly due to the limited depth at Mauricio Pochettino’s disposal, with summer signings Vincent Janssen, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Moussa Sissoko struggling to deliver. And to make matters worse, it now appears Tottenham’s squad could be privy to two of the most exciting young talents in European football right now.
According to Squawka journalist Greg Stobart, who has a pretty strong track record when it comes to Spurs news, the White Hart Lane outfit could have signed Dortmund duo Ousmane Dembele and Alexander Isak long before they joined the German club for hefty fees.
Spurs turned down Ousmane Dembele & Alexander Isak for fraction of eventual fees. New chief scout Steve Hitchen now calling the shots.
— Greg Stobart (@gstobart) March 6, 2017
17-year-old Isak moved to Westfalenstadion in January after netting 13 times in his first 29 appearances for AIK, whilst Dembele, 19, was last season’s Young Player of the Year in Ligue 1 and has bagged seven goals and 15 assists since signing for the Black-Yellows last summer.
Steve Hitchen returned to White Hart Lane last month as chief scout and according to Stobart, one of his first tasks was to sack the man responsible for Spurs missing out on Dembele and Isak – David Webb.
@bankruptspurs David Webb – he sacked him last week!
— Greg Stobart (@gstobart) March 6, 2017
Was it a harsh decision considering how quickly footballers seem to turn from unnoticed youngsters to world-class stars these days? Perhaps. But clearly, Spurs are taking a ruthless approach to their recruitment overhaul.
Who are you more gutted to miss out on, Spurs fans – Isak or Dembele? Let us know by commenting below!
