Troy Parrott has impressed since leaving Tottenham Hotspur in July 2024
Troy Parrott has started the 2026/27 season in sensational form but a return to Tottenham in the future just doesn't make sense, according to Chris Waddle.
The former Spurs wonderkid played just four times for the club after arriving from Irish side Belvedere at 16. He often found himself on loan away from north London and it was during a spell with Excelsior Rotterdam where he really came into his own, scoring 17 goals in 32 appearances.
The Dutch side ended up buying Parrott for £6.7million plus a 20 per cent sell-on clause and the striker fired 51 goals in 97 appearances for AZ, laying on 17 assists as well.
FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Parrott, who has scored 15 goals in 41 appearances for Republic of Ireland, joined Real Betis this summer in a £17.1million deal that netted Spurs around £3.4million. He already has two goals and an assist to his name for the La Liga side, which includes scoring the winner against Real Madrid.
That form, combined with Tottenham's poor start to the season and struggles to put the ball in the net, has led to some speculation linking Parrott with a dramatic return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Former Spurs star Waddle does not believe a £67.5million move makes sense, however.
Speaking to talkSPORT Bet, who offer the latest sports betting, Waddle said: "Tottenham have produced three or four good young players coming through. Will Lankshear went to Boro, and Mikey Moore went on loan to Rangers. But when you're talking about the top level at Tottenham, with expectations of playing in the Champions League, it's hard to look at a youngster and know if he'll be the next Harry Kane.
"It's very difficult, and Tottenham decided to buy established centre-forwards rather than stick with those youngsters. Whether they thought they weren't ready for Spurs is another thing, but they moved them on.
"I wouldn't see the sense in buying Troy Parrott back for €80million (£67.5m) if you let him go for peanuts. Mind you, players often leave big clubs and make a success of their careers elsewhere.
"At the end of the day, a club has to decide whether to offer a long-term contract and if the player will make the first team. If they don't see him breaking through for three or four years, they decide to sell while there are decent offers, ideally putting a buy-back clause in place.
"They decided to go for experience with Solanke and others, letting the younger players move on. When those players flourish elsewhere and command big transfer fees, you have to say well done to them, even if Tottenham got the decision wrong."