Big departure nears as Tottenham star jets off for transfer talks

Mousa Dembele’s Tottenham career is inching ever closer to a conclusion after the silky midfielder left the country to seal a move to the Chinese Super League.

The 31-year-old is out of contract in the summer and Spurs look set to cash in this month, with a switch to Beijing Guoan close to being sorted.

It is thought Tottenham will receive a fee of around £11m for the skillful star.

Dembele, who has recently recovered from an ankle injury which has kept him out since November, flew to Hong Kong on Monday.

The Belgium international joined Spurs in 2012 from Fulham and has been a key player in their rise to the top of the English game, making over 200 appearances in all competitions.

However, he has been beset by injury problems in recent years and has struggled with the physicality of the English game.

He is set to earn a lucrative contract in China while Spurs will recoup a fee, instead of losing him for nothing in the summer.

They will not block his move even though they are down to the bare bones in midfield, with Moussa Sissoko picking up a groin injury against Manchester United on Sunday.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has already admitted he is unlikely to bring in any reinforcements – that’s despite growing links to Milan star Franck Kessie.

Spurs could soon be boosted by the returns to action of Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama, with the duo close to full fitness.

Get the latest personalised Spurs products on our new TEAMtalk Tottenham shop!