
Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League • England
Tottenham meet with Napoli officials to discuss transfer of £25m midfielder as two other deals gather pace

Tottenham are ready to meet with Napoli officials to discuss the permanent transfer of Tanguy Ndombele.
The French midfielder moved on loan to Napoli over the summer after failing to make the grade in north London. Spurs splashed out a then club-record £54m fee to bring in Ndombele from Lyon back in 2019. However, the move has not worked out and Ndombele has failed to impress a number of managers at the club.
Current incumbment Antonio Conte has been left thoroughly-unimpressed by the 25-year-old’s attitude when under his control last season. And having been allowed to rejoin Lyon on loan, he once again failed to recapture his spark.
That left Ndombele back at Tottenham but once again with his future under increasing uncertainty. That was, until, Napoli emerged from the shadows to pluck Ndombele to Italy on loan with a view to a permanent deal.
And the arrangement that took Ndombele to Naples secured the Gli Azzurri an option to make his move permanent next summer for £25m (€30m).
The move to Napoli, though, has had the desired affect with Ndombele featuring 18 times for Napoli. And with Luciano Spalletti’s side riding high at the top of Serie A, they are keen to secure the Frenchman on a permanent deal.
Now, Foot Mercato reports that Napoli officials will meet with Tottenham counterparts next week to discuss that arrangement. And the Italians are reportedly confident they can convince Tottenham to not only bring forward that deal, but to also secure him for reduced terms.
For Tottenham’s part, Ndombele has no part in their future with the club having Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentacur, Yves Bissouma and Oliver Skipp as central midfield options.
And reports on Tuesday claim Fabio Paratici is stepping up plans to recruit another midfielder in January.
Tottenham to sell Tanguy Ndombele as part of big clear out
As such, the chance to offload Ndombele earlier than expected is likely to be an option Tottenham will take. Napoli are reportedly confident of securing his deal for around the £22.5m – a sizeable reduction on Spurs’ initial investment.
And it seems that the 25-year-old midfielder will not be the only player to leave Spurs in what is likely to be a busy month.
Indeed, reports claim as many as six players could be axed from their squad in January as Paratici clears the decks.
Also on the chopping block are Joe Rodon, currently on loan with Rennes. Giovani Lo Celso, another player on loan, this time with Villarreal, may also be allowed to make a permanent exit.
The report claims wing-backs Matt Doherty, Emerson Royal and Ryan Sessegnon could also be allowed to move on.
However, reports in Spain claim two other players are more likely to follow Ndombele out the exit door.
First up is Pape Sarr, the Senegalese midfielder who is yet to appear for Tottenham. He signed for Spurs in summer 2021, spending the season back on loan with Metz.
Now back at Spurs, he is still awaiting a chance in the first team.
However, reports claim he could be allowed to leave on loan with Sevilla among those taking an interest.
Next out will be Bryan Gil, with the Spanish star struggling to make an impact on Conte. He has featured just six times this season and is reportedly lining up a loan return to Valencia. Gil made the same temporary move to the Mestalla last January and reports claim a repeat loan is now on the cards.
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