Spurs could be forced to sell several of their most valuable players if they are relegated from the Premier League, with the side just four points above the drop zone with 11 league matches remaining this season – but who could stay loyal if the worst-case scenario does occur?
Losing 4-1 at home against Arsenal is enough to infuriate most Spurs fans, but the threat of relegation poses an altogether bigger problem for the football club.
Coming into the campaign under Thomas Frank’s tutelage, fans and players would have at least expected the north London side to challenge for a Europa League spot by finishing between sixth and seventh in the league.
Just over eight months on from Frank’s arrival, the Dane has already tried and ultimately failed at Spurs, which resulted in his departure earlier in February.
Former Juventus boss Igor Tudor replaced him but got off to the worst possible start, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal proving simply too good for his side on Sunday (22 February).
Braces from Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres saw Arsenal go five points clear of Manchester City at the summit of the league, while 18th-placed West Ham gained a point on Spurs with a 0-0 home draw against Bournemouth on Saturday in their quest to stay in the division, with the Hammers just four points off their London rivals.
Despite welcoming marquee names such as Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus to the club in the summer, Spurs could be playing their football in the Championship next term if things do not improve.
Who could leave Spurs if they are relegated?
Aside from the nightmare scenario of Arsenal winning the league alongside Spurs getting relegated, no doubt tormenting those associated with Tottenham, board members will be concerned with the potential financial ramifications dropping down to English football’s second division could bring.
As reported by The Telegraph, players are not thought to have salary-reduction clauses in their contracts in the event of relegation.
The report also suggests that players will miss out on a European qualification bonus if they are relegated, which would at least save the club some cash.
But having players on Champions League wages may not be viable if the club do indeed drop down a division, which would likely result in a potential fire sale.
It would be safe to assume that the highest earners would be the first to leave, with nine first-team players – Simons, Cristian Romero, James Maddison, Conor Gallagher, Kolo Muani, Kudus, Dominic Solanke, Joao Palhinha and Dejan Kulusevski – currently earning in excess of £100,000 per week, according to Capology.
Just below them, Richarlison, Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro and Radu Dragusin earn between £85,000 and £90,000 per week.
Of course, getting high wages off the books will be one thing to consider, while outright selling players and receiving transfer fees will be another.
Based on Transfermarkt’s valuations, Van de Ven, Romero, Simons, Kudus, Kulusevski and Porro are Spurs’ most valuable players, with three of them – Kudus, Simons and Romero – among the top six earners.
A previous report from The Athletic also included January signing Gallagher in the list of potential departees alongside Kevin Danso, Djed Spence, Destiny Ugodie and Rodrigo Bentancur. It is also hard to imagine Tel or Yves Bissouma playing in the Championship.
Van de Ven would likely have several suitors around Europe, with both Real Madrid and Liverpool among those with reported interest in the player.
In January, talkSPORT reported that the club values the Netherlands international in excess of £100 million.
However, this price may decrease if Spurs actively seek a sale due to relegation.
Romero, who has been outspoken about ‘squad shortages’ in recent times, may also look to move on, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid among those keen on the player, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Who could stay at Spurs if they are relegated?
With the so-called ‘big-name’ players likely to leave, this may benefit younger players such as Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert, as well as second-choice goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, with first-choice shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario also likely to exit.
Academy starlets Luca Williams-Barnett, Jun’ai Byfield and Tynan Thompson may also be afforded opportunities, while players currently loaned out, such as Dane Scarlett, Jamie Donley, Mikey Moore, Luka Vušković and Alfie Devine, may see opportunities arise which they wouldn’t have if Spurs stayed in the Premier League.
Highly rated Sweden international Lucas Bergvall, who won the club’s Player of the Season award in 2024/25 despite struggling this term, may also stay despite reports of interest from Aston Villa and Chelsea.
Nineteen-year-old January signing Souza, who arrived from Santos, may also see playing in the second tier as a way of gaining first-team experience in England.
Of course, at this point Spurs are outside of the relegation zone, meaning they may well avoid selling their best players despite concerns among fans.
For now, Tudor and his side will be focusing on the upcoming London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage on 1 March.