Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

New favourites emerge for Tottenham midfielder after double change of stance opens January exit chance

Eric Dier and Pape Matar Sarr

One Tottenham midfielder could be about to change clubs before the transfer window closes after a report revealed how Spurs and his main suitors have changed their minds about a deal.

Tottenham’s midfield currently consists of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr. So far this season, head coach Antonio Conte has generally favoured a partnership of Hojbjerg and Bentancur.

Bissouma has also been gradually integrated into the team after his summer move from Brighton. The more youthful Skipp and Sarr have had to be more patient for opportunities, though.

There could be particular questions about the future of Sarr. The Senegal international only joined Tottenham in the summer of 2021 as a prospect for the future, but his impact has been delayed.

Sarr spent the 2021-22 season on loan with Metz, from whom Tottenham had just bought him. He has been back in the Spurs fold this season, recently making his long-awaited debut in January.

His eventual emergence has complicated the chances of him leaving on loan again this month. Salernitana were keen to take him to Serie A, but it then appeared that Conte wanted to keep Sarr after all.

However, a winter departure for Sarr has now come back into the equation – although not to Italy.

According to La Grada, Sarr is back on the radar of Espanyol. The La Liga side were considering him earlier in the transfer window, before manager Diego Martinez suggested they needed to look for a more experienced option.

Their stance has since changed, though, with Espanyol becoming interested in the 20-year-old again.

Tottenham should consider Sarr loan exit

And perhaps Tottenham’s stance about his potential departure has changed, too, which would allow Sarr to earn more gametime in Spain.

There are already four other midfielders Conte can rely on. Therefore, despite Sarr’s recent activity in the first team, it wouldn’t be too much of a loss for him to depart.

In the long run, it may actually benefit him. He is still under contract with Spurs until 2026, so even if Conte doesn’t rate him significantly, he could outlast his coach.

Indeed, with Conte’s own future currently unclear, it might be better for Sarr to go and develop elsewhere, rather than learning from someone who might not even be in charge next season.

Playing in Spain would be a new experience for Sarr. But again, it might be useful for him to come up against different kinds of players and teams. He could then reintegrate into the Premier League and build up his authority there.

But for now, Sarr is very much fifth in command in the Tottenham midfield. Therefore, suitors like Espanyol won’t be losing sight of him as the transfer deadline approaches.

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