OPINION
Tottenham fans might be expecting an exciting summer when it comes to the transfer window, but they may also have to prepare themselves for bitter disappointment.
The coming months promise much change at Spurs as Mauricio Pochettino plots a course to build on another impressive campaign of growth, dazzling in the Champions League and securing yet another top four finish in the Premier League.
There will no doubt be new arrivals to have the Tottenham faithful sit up and take notice, but they could well have seen the last of some of their favourites in north London.
Toby Alderweireld’s contractual situation makes him one of those destined for the exit, and it looks as though Mousa Dembele could follow his Belgian counterpart through the door for the same reason.
The 30-year-old midfielder has just a year left on his current deal and the London Evening Standard state that he has handed the club a bombshell by choosing not to sign an extension, leaving them little choice but to sell up or face losing him for nothing.
However, the reported £30million asking price is crazy money being demanded by Daniel Levy, and if he wants to avoid being left with a free agent next summer, he will have to slash what he is looking for.
Yes, Dembele is one of the best players in his position, but his age, injury record and contract scenario all count against him when valuing how much he is worth, with a price tag of between £20-£25million much more reasonable.
With an interested Italian quartet said to be baulking at the price, Levy is rolling the dice by refusing to budge, when it makes sense to offload him and use that money to reinvest when he has no intentions of staying with Spurs.
It might be a heavy blow for the Lilywhites to take, but all good things must come to an end, and at least an exit now would provide a silver lining in transfer funds.