Tottenham need to face reality about Christian Eriksen. The 27-year-old is out of contract in less than 18 months and isn’t close to putting pen to paper on an extension. He’ll be able to sign a pre-contract deal in the next winter transfer window, meaning this summer is the last chance for the Lilywhites to cash in on his signature.
Daniel Levy wants £130m for the Danish international which no side will pay due to his expiring contract, so why doesn’t the Tottenham owner set a realistic price that Mauricio Pochettino could redirect as transfer funds this summer? Spurs paid £11.5m in 2013 for Eriksen who earns £3.9m-a-year/£75k-per-week – a total of £35m.
Tottenham’s most lucrative departures are Gareth Bale (£85m to Real Madrid in 2013) and Kyle Walker (£50m to Manchester City). Eriksen should be valued somewhere between the two (£60m). He’s improved considerably in the last six years but clubs can agree pre-contract deals in only eight months, so Levy can’t afford to scare off suitors.
When Bale was sold, his money was used to sign seven players. If Spurs sell Eriksen for a fair price, the money can go towards multiple new recruits. Tottenham have two transfer windows before Eriksen will be out of contract, but clubs won’t pay to sign him in January when they can get him for free just months later.
This summer is the final opportunity to cash in, giving Tottenham four months to complete a deal for the best possible price.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Report: Tottenham name asking price for Christian Eriksen, ridiculous from Daniel Levy