After news broke that Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to walk away from a summer target, Ben Jacobs exclusively told Spurs Web what it would take for a record-breaking deal to happen.
Tottenham are on the lookout for attacking reinforcements this summer; that much is clear. Ironically, Spurs were not short of goals last season, despite finishing all the way down in 17th. In fact, Thomas Frank’s Brentford were one of the few Premier League sides to outgun the Lilywhites.
Spurs have already secured the permanent signing of Mathys Tel this summer, but the front line could be due for a reshuffle. Heung-min Son has been linked with a heartbreaking Tottenham exit, while Richarlison could also be sold by Spurs over the coming months.
Ben Jacobs already exclusively told Spurs Web that Tottenham will look for another left-wing addition even after the signing of Tel. He named the likes of Eberechi Eze, Alejandro Garnacho, and Antonio Nusa as potential targets.
Tottenham continue to chase Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo, and Tyler Dibling
Along with Eze, Garnacho, and Nusa, Tottenham have been linked with three attacking targets consistently for the past month – namely, Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo, and Tyler Dibling.
Spurs look set to lose the race for Mbeumo to Manchester United unless Thomas Frank can convince his former player to join him in North London.
Updates on the Southampton starlet have gone a little quiet over the past week, although Tottenham are competing with Man United and Newcastle for Dibling this summer.
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Just last week, it was reported that Semenyo would become Tottenham’s number one attacking target if their move for Mbeumo failed, with the Lilywhites ‘stepping up’ their interest in the Bournemouth star.
However, with Bournemouth selling Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool, and PSG sniffing around a big-money move for Illia Zabarnyi, the Cherries are hardly in any desperate need to raise funds.
Ben Jacobs exclusively told Spurs Web that Bournemouth would still be open to selling Semenyo, despite the mass exodus in their squad this summer. However, Andoni Iraola’s side would demand a package that exceeds the £55m plus £10m in add-ons Tottenham paid for Dominic Solanke last summer.
That means Spurs would have to smash their transfer record to land a 25-year-old who has only netted double figures in all competitions once in his career.
News broke on Friday evening that Tottenham have put their Semenyo pursuit on hold for the moment after talks with Bournemouth due to the £65m+ price tag, which the Lilywhites deem excessive.
Bournemouth to demand record-breaking Spurs bid for Semenyo
Ben Jacobs exclusively told Spurs Web: “Tottenham have naturally had to act a little slower than some clubs in the market. They aren’t in the Club World Cup, and didn’t know if they had Champions League football until late May.
“Add to that a deliberation period before sacking Ange Postecoglou, and needing some time to agree terms with Thomas Frank, and you could argue Spurs’ window is only really getting going now.
“Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is one target on the right side. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo – even though he still prefers a move to Manchester United – and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling are two other names considered.
“Even though it’s true that Bournemouth don’t want to lose all their stars, a Semenyo sale is still likely to be sanctioned at the right price. I am told Bournemouth expect more than the £55m+£10m package Spurs paid for Dominic Solanke.
“I get the impression Bournemouth might stop Justin Kluivert departing, even though he is on Leverkusen’s radar. And even Illia Zabarnyi won’t come cheap for Paris Saint-Germain.
“I don’t think Spurs are at a disadvantage by not bidding earlier if they do choose to try for Semenyo,. Bournemouth always planned for Dean Huijsen to leave, via his release clause being triggered, and I still don’t expect them to stand in Semenyo’s way at the right price.”