Spurs midfielder to stay despite seeking summer transfer
Spurs midfielder Tanguy Ndombele will reportedly remain at the club this season despite seeking a move away.
The Frenchman arrived in north London for €60million (£53.8m) two years ago, but has failed to live up to that price tag.
He could not convince Jose Mourinho on his ability and is struggling once again under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Premier League winners and losers (mostly Mikel Arteta)
Ndombele is yet to feature for Spurs this season, either in the Premier League or Europa Conference League.
Nuno prefers to operate with a midfield trio of Dele Alli, Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Ndombele’s situation has led to rumours of a permanent move elsewhere. He was supposedly offered to AC Milan as part of Spurs’ bid for Franck Kessie.
But according to Sky Sports, the 24-year-old will stay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, at least until January.
They write that both the player and club were keen to part ways, although a summer move could not be finalised.
It looks set to be a tough few months for Ndombele warming the bench. He may be given a couple of opportunities to impress, such as in domestic cup competitions, but it is unlikely that his Spurs career will be revived.
A return to France could be on the cards in one of the next two transfer windows. He made his name during an impressive two-year spell at Lyon.
Spurs are currently focusing on new arrivals as the transfer deadline edges nearer. Their top target is Barcelona right-back Emerson Royal, who played 34 times for Real Betis in La Liga last season.
Barca snapped him up for €9m (£7.7m), but the 22-year-old is now set to join Spurs in a €30m (£25.7m) deal.
Emerson will compete with Japhet Tanganga and Matt Doherty for a starting spot. Nuno also has Serge Aurier at his disposal, but the player has been frozen out in a similar fashion to Ndombele.
Spurs are looking into the possibility of signing Wolves winger Adama Traore. However, the Spain international will cost upwards of £50m as Wolves are desperate to keep hold of him.
He has started the season brightly and wreaked havoc on the Manchester United defence at the weekend.