Tottenham storm into transfer battle for £48m attacker with move for Arsenal, Newcastle target in ‘no doubt’
Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder Jesper Lindstrom, according to a report in his native Denmark.
According to Ekstra Bladet, there is ‘no doubt’ that Lindstrom will be leaving the Bundesliga side this summer. By then, he will have completed two seasons with them after joining from Brondby in 2021.
Lindstrom has recently been linked with a transfer to Arsenal, but he could have a different destination in north London. Indeed, Tottenham are among the clubs with ‘massive interest’ in the 23-year-old.
To sign him, they would have to meet Eintracht Frankfurt’s asking price, which will start at €35million (£30.8m) but could rise up to €55m (£48.4m) if they generate an auction between his many admirers.
Other than Tottenham, Lindstrom is said to be on the radar of Newcastle United. Alternatively, he could remain in the Bundesliga with either Borussia Dortmund or RB Leipzig.
There is also interest in Lindstrom from Serie A, where Inter Milan or Napoli would be willing to take him.
The Denmark international’s contract with Eintracht Frankfurt is due to last until 2026. However, there is now an acceptance that he will be on the move this summer.
It will be a blow to his current employers, who are already bracing themselves for the departures of fellow attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada and defender Evan Ndicka on free transfers this summer.
At least they will receive some money from Lindstrom’s sale. At this moment in time, it is not yet clear who his leading suitors are.
All of the clubs interested in him will be trying to finish as high as possible in their respective leagues in order to prove themselves as attractive destinations.
Newcastle and Tottenham battle for Jesper Lindstrom
Tottenham and Newcastle are currently competing for Champions League qualification by finishing in the top four of the Premier League. Newcastle currently have the edge, since they are in that all-important position of fourth place.
In Germany, Dortmund and Leipzig are both in the Champions League places, whereas Frankfurt are not.
And in Italy, Napoli are on course to enter next season’s Champions League as probable Serie A winners, while Inter are battling to break back into the top four as they currently sit fifth.
Lindstrom played in the Europa League last season, helping Eintracht win it. He has played in the Champions League for them this season.
During the current campaign, Lindstrom has made 31 appearances in all competitions. He has scored nine goals and provided four assists, featuring on either wing or – most commonly – as a central attacking midfielder.
It will be up to whoever Tottenham’s next coach is to work out how he would fit in for them. But he appears to be under consideration by the club anyway while they wait to make an appointment.
Newcastle, on the other hand, have a bit more certainty and stability with their project. Eddie Howe has inspired significant progress for the team in recent months, so they are now looking to go to the next phase of their project by targeting even higher-calibre players.
Lindstrom is the kind of talent they can develop over the long term, though, without too much immediate pressure.
For the time being, he will have to keep his options open until any of his admirers make a concrete bid for his signature.