Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a major blow after conducting scouting work on a centre-forward and two wingers ahead of the January window.
Reports over recent weeks have indicated that Spurs are prepared to spend big on a striker in January if the right option becomes available.
However, the second part of that statement is extremely consequential, as the January window is not one where clubs are willing to listen to offers for their top players, as replacing them is extremely challenging.
One striker who has caught Tottenham’s eye is Vangelis Pavlidis, who has been extremely prolific for Benfica this term, with 19 goals in 19 matches so far this season across all competitions.
A Bola even claimed last month that Spurs are desperate to strike a deal for the Greece international, having identified him as their top number nine target for January.
Benfica send clear message to Tottenham regarding Vangelis Pavlidis
According to a report in Record (as relayed by Sport Witness), the Portuguese club have now effectively closed the door on any of their important players leaving the club in January.
That means that the club’s top scorer, Pavlidis, is set to stay at Estádio da Luz at least until the end of the season.
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The report claims that this is particularly bad news for Tottenham Hotspur, who are among the clubs paying the closest attention to the centre-forward. The Lilywhites have been told Benfica will not even enter into negotiations for the player in January.
In fact, the Portuguese club reportedly rejected a mammoth offer of more than €50m (£41.8m) for Pavlidis from Fenerbahce in the summer window.
Benfica subsequently tied the striker to a new contract, with his deal now containing a release clause of €100m (£83.5m).
Spurs may also have to give up on two Benfica wingers
Pavlidis is not the only Benfica star that the North London club has been watching over recent months, if reports are to be believed.
Tottenham have been mooted as a possible destination for winger Andreas Schjelderup, who is thought to be stalling on signing a new deal with Marco Silva’s side.
Additionally, Spurs have also allegedly been keeping an eye on Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni, whose performances for Benfica have seen him break into Lionel Scaloni’s setup.
However, now that the Portuguese club have taken a hardline stance on January sales, Roberto De Zerbi’s side may have to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements.