The contract negotiations at Tottenham Hotspur is just one of the many hurdles to have long provided speculative discussions across social media and media alike for months. No stadium, no signings blah blah. The one that truly worries me, giving me sleepless nights and tormented days is the situation of our number 23 – Christian Eriksen.
The creative midfielder, who joined Spurs as part of the infamous ‘Bale Money’ in 2013, and is one of only two remaining from the ‘Magnificent Seven’ at the club after some wreck less spending (Erik Lamela the other).
Since joining the club, Christian has proved his worth; not a single player has registered more goals from outside the box nor more assists within the league than the magical number 23.
Worryingly for Spurs fans, the Dane has just 18 months or so left on his contract meaning come the summer of 2020 – he will become a free agent to the market.
There’s no doubting the value of Eriksen to this Spurs squad and ultimately, to Pochettino and allowing the midfielder to run down his contract like Sol Campbell all those years ago, is simply an option the club will not allow. Should he not sign come the summer, expect to see Levy trying to cash in on one of his most prized assets.
According to the tranfermarkt.co.uk, Eriksen ranks as third highest valued attacking midfielder in the league – and rightfully so. With further time on his contract, this figure would only soar.
I can confidently say though, there is not a single Spurs who wish to see the back of the Dane. In the absence of Kane and Alli in the last month or so, Eriksen has been instrumental in ensuring Spurs came through this tricky period with maximum points and a destruction of Bundesliga leaders, Borussia Dortmund.
Trusted reporter for all things Spurs related, Alasdair Gold had the following to say on the matter during a Q&A with fans when asked about the possibility of Eriksen not signing a new deal:
“Spurs are working hard to tie Eriksen up to a new deal and I’d heard there has been some progress in recent weeks, but a lot depends on how serious the interest is from Spain.
“The Dane is happy at Spurs and enjoys playing for Pochettino and with his team-mates. However, he turned 27 on Valentine’s Day and the lure of a new challenge at Real Madrid or Barcelona just can’t be ruled out.
“Much depends on whether either of the La Liga giants would pay whatever Daniel Levy would ask for for a player who will have just a year left on his contract in the summer.
“Pochettino certainly knows Eriksen is integral to his side and the club will struggle to find a like-for-like fit for such a rare player – a playmaker who runs more than anyone else.
“Tottenham need to throw everything they can at Eriksen in the coming months to get him to commit before the Spanish giants make any concrete advances. If he will not commit then Spurs will have to make a decision on whether to cash in or lose such a valuable player for free in 2020.”
Currently on a £70,000-a-week deal with Spurs, Eriksen is
The positive contract news in the last year regarding Harry Kane and Dele Alli and the supposed deal Heung-Min Son is going to sign in the summer are all reaffirming signs that notorious negotiator, Daniel Levy, will know how to get this deal done and ensure Eriksen remains playing in Lillywhite – we can hope.
Hopefully, once the move to the new stadium is complete, Tottenham’s hierarchy can begin to focus on the important talks needed before next season; not limited to just Christian.
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