Tottenham transfer for discarded defender takes shape as star overtakes Leeds flop with inflated price

Real Sociedad are exploring a deal for Tottenham defender Sergio Reguilon after deciding against a move for Junior Firpo from Leeds United, according to sources local to the Basque club.

A new left-back is on Imanol Alguacil’s wish list for Real Sociedad this summer. With that in mind, the Champions League outfit were weighing up a swoop for Firpo. Leeds have already lost several players following their relegation from the Premier League and the unconvincing Firpo has been expected to be among their exodus.

After previously playing in La Liga for Real Betis and Barcelona, Firpo could have earned a chance to resurrect his career back in Spain.

However, according to Basque outlet Noticias de Gipuzkoa, Real Sociedad have ‘ruled out any negotiation due to the high cost’ of signing him.

Precisely whether those costs were in relation to his transfer fee or salary is unclear. Firpo hasn’t exactly won over Leeds during his two seasons at the club, so they would probably be open to offers for him.

But Real Sociedad won’t be his buyers after quickly finding an alternative Premier League reject. According to the report, they are now ‘contemplating’ the addition of Reguilon from Tottenham.

Last season, Spurs sent the Spain international on loan to Atletico Madrid. However, his return to La Liga was not particularly fruitful.

Out of Ange Postecoglou’s plans for the new era at Tottenham, Reguilon risks being sold by Spurs two years before his contract with them would be due to expire.

Once again, the costs related to his transfer are not made clear in the report, but they don’t seem to be as problematic as they would have been for Firpo.

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Reguilon could fall further down the Tottenham pecking order for the left-back role this summer after the integration of Destiny Udogie following his loan stay with Udinese last season.

Therefore, the 26-year-old could start considering his options for a permanent departure away from Tottenham.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has since confirmed that La Real ‘have genuine interest in’ Reguilon, but the deal is ‘not advanced yet’.

Prospect of double Tottenham sale emerges

Interestingly, the news comes after Real Sociedad were linked with another Tottenham player in the shape of Giovani Lo Celso.

The attacking midfielder was on loan at Villarreal for 18 months but has been impactful in pre-season since his return to Spurs. However, after David Silva was forced into retirement, La Real might test Tottenham’s resolve for Lo Celso as a replacement.

And with their interest in Reguilon emerging almost simultaneously, perhaps there could be a double deal on the cards.

As stated, Real Sociedad can offer Reguilon and Lo Celso participation in next season’s Champions League. In contrast, no European football would be on offer at Tottenham after an eighth-place finish from last season.

Postecoglou will be aiming to inspire a new era in north London, but there is still plenty of time for the squad at his disposal to transform further.