According to sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, Inter Milan are in transfer talks with Tottenham Hotspur for Tanguy Ndombele, although the two sides are yet to reach an agreement.
Are we likely to sell him?
Simon Jones of the Daily Mail recently revealed that Daniel Levy is reluctant to let Ndombele leave so soon after his arrival, so it remains to be seen if Inter have any luck in negotiations.
The 23-year-old cost £55m and earns £200k-per-week/£10.4m-a-year in wages, so he’s unlikely to be granted a departure unless Levy can guarantee all of his money back.
Ndombele has five more years remaining on his deal, so Tottenham aren’t in any rush to cash in despite his below-par debut season.
How’s his relationship with Jose Mourinho?
Not the best. Ndombele has made 29 appearances in all competitions since joining from Olympique Lyonnais last summer, but he’s started only three Premier League games in 2020 and featured only twice since March.
The French international was publicly criticised by Mourinho for a lack of fitness too, so the pair’s relationship could be better. Ndombele hasn’t been frozen out of the matchday squad, but he’s spent the year sidelined for Giovani Lo Celso, Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko.
Metro said in June that Ndombele was believed to have told Mourinho that he doesn’t want to play for Tottenham again, so reports are conflicting about his future. It does speak volumes that Spurs are closing in on a player that could oust Ndombele out of the team next season, however.
Could Hojbjerg replace Ndombele?
Potentially. The 23-year-old is nearing a move to Tottenham and would bring high levels of industry to the midfield – exactly what Mourinho wants from Ndombele. Hojbjerg is a box-to-box player who is expert at turning over possession and creating chances, so he may turn out to be Ndombele’s successor.
Summary
It’s hard to see Inter signing the Frenchman due to his lofty valuation, but that doesn’t mean both parties don’t want a deal done. Ndombele has been out of favour under Mourinho and won’t enjoy being on the bench, but Levy doesn’t want to take a loss from his sale. Our chairman could play the waiting game for more clubs to register their interest.
In other news, Tottenham have made a breakthrough in their pursuit of a box-to-box midfielder
Funny deal, the relations between the dreary JM and his players. When he was early in his career, at Porto, the players loved him, believed in him. By the time he arrived at Manure, he seemed intent on picking out a young rising star to try to humiliate in public. Comes to N17 and picks out Ndombele to humiliate in public. He’s become a grumpy old man who has to fight with the youth who are on the way up.
But all grumpy old men have to retire some time. The time was last year, O José, especial. Get yourself a nice little fazenda in the Azores and retire.