According to the Daily Mail, Spurs risk losing out on the services of Celta Vigo teenage midfield sensation Pape Cheikh Diop, as Lyon have emerged as frontrunners having tabled a larger bid.
Currently on a contract that runs till 2021, the Senegalese-born Spain youth international has a £25million buyout clause but Vigo could let him go for £15million. Spurs, known for their tough negotiations are willing to pay just £9million for Diop.
Apart from bidding higher, Lyon are also offering the midfielder a very lucrative pay package.
However, the 20-year-old is keen on a move to north London, and Tottenham would have to return with a better offer to have a chance of convincing the Liga club.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino earlier had Everton’s Ross Barkley as his number 1 midfield target but switched attentions to the Spaniard due to the huge difference in their transfer fees.
While Diop seems like a “poor man’s Barkley” financially, his quality and promising potential hint at what this rough diamond can turn into under Pochettino.
He boasts of a Dele Alli-esque playing style, and it’s why the Argentine manager is keen on him.
Securing Diop’s signature can definitely be a great piece of business for Spurs, but they must be willing to spend to land him.
