Tottenham Hotspur has been given the green light to finalize a transfer with Barcelona, but the deal has sparked a rift between senior club officials.
Reports reveal that while Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, is enthusiastic about the potential signing, sporting director Deco has reservations about the proposed move.
Tottenham’s Summer Transfer Success
Tottenham has had a transformative summer transfer window, making significant additions to their squad. Among the highlights is the acquisition of Archie Gray, one of England’s brightest young talents. Gray, who can play in central midfield or as a right-back, brings versatility and promise to Spurs.
Dominic Solanke’s club-record £65m transfer from Bournemouth has been another major boost. Solanke, who netted 19 Premier League goals last season, allows manager Ange Postecoglou to move Son Heung-min back to his preferred left-wing position. This move is expected to enhance Tottenham’s attacking prowess.
Additionally, Tottenham has bolstered their wide options with the signing of French winger Wilson Odobert, a 19-year-old who joined from Burnley. Timo Werner’s return on a second loan spell further strengthens their attacking options.
The club has also addressed some long-awaited exits. Emerson Royal moved to AC Milan, Joe Rodon joined Leeds United, and Troy Parrott signed with AZ Alkmaar in permanent deals. Tanguy Ndombele, who failed to live up to expectations, was released, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Bryan Gil, and Alejo Veliz were loaned out to various clubs.
Oliver Skipp is set to become the next player to leave, with a £20m deal to Leicester City nearing completion. Reports suggest that left-back Sergio Reguilon could follow Skipp out of Tottenham.
Barcelona’s Interest in Sergio Reguilon
Barcelona has been exploring the possibility of signing Reguilon, who spent last season on loan at Manchester United and then Brentford. Reguilon, now in the final year of his contract, is reportedly not part of Postecoglou’s plans for the upcoming season. Sky Sports previously reported that Barcelona made initial inquiries about the 27-year-old.
The initial aim for Barcelona was to re-sign Joao Cancelo from Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola has indicated that Cancelo might have a future at the Etihad, leading Barcelona to consider alternative options. Spanish outlet Sport later confirmed that Hansi Flick had approved the pursuit of Reguilon as a backup to Alejandro Balde.
A Rift in Barcelona’s Hierarchy
Despite Flick’s support for the move, there appears to be a disagreement within Barcelona’s hierarchy. Sporting director Deco reportedly disagrees with the signing, preferring to focus on acquiring a left-sided winger rather than a left-back. Deco’s preference comes amid ongoing speculation about potential signings, including Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao and Luis Diaz from Liverpool.
The situation is complicated by Barcelona’s financial constraints. The club would need to sell several players to free up funds for a winger, making the pursuit of Reguilon a more feasible option in the short term. Deco is said to be preparing to concede to Flick’s request for Reguilon, despite his own reservations.
With Reguilon’s contract expiring soon, any bid from Barcelona is unlikely to be substantial. Tottenham may need to accept a nominal fee for the player, given his limited role in Postecoglou’s plans and the fact that he is in the final year of his contract.
Other Potential Destinations
Aside from Barcelona, Reguilon has attracted interest from other clubs. Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce is reportedly keen on signing Reguilon to replace Ferdi Kadioglu, who is on the verge of joining Brighton. This interest adds another layer of complexity to Reguilon’s potential transfer, as Tottenham weighs their options and seeks to finalize a deal that aligns with their financial and strategic goals.
As the transfer window nears its close, the situation surrounding Reguilon and his potential move to Barcelona remains fluid. Tottenham’s ability to navigate these negotiations effectively will be crucial in shaping their squad for the upcoming season.
