OPINION
Tottenham Hotspur became the first team in Premier League history to not sign a player in the summer window this year, and that could prove a costly mistake as they head into a crucial season.
However, the Lilywhites did crucially break their long-standing wage ceiling over the break as they handed star striker Harry Kane a new deal worth a reported £200,000-a-week in base pay.
This is a big move from the club hierarchy, who have always maintained a ceiling around £100,000-a-week under the watchful eye of chairman Daniel Levy.
Beginning to pay players on par with their rivals is key if Spurs want to remain at the top table of English football, but the move will also inevitably cause teething problems as the club get to grips with their new wage structure.
According to the Daily Mail that is now happening, with Christian Eriksen now demanding pay parity with Kane as talks continue over a new contract.
The newspaper claim that talks have reached a standstill amid the Dane’s demands, with talks now having been ongoing for six months.
It is said that Eriksen, who has two years left on his current deal, is unlikely to budge on his demands as he waits to be rewarded suitably for his contributions to this Spurs team.
And who can blame him? He has been one of Tottenham’s best players for the past five seasons, and he richly deserves a bumper new deal.
The ball is in Levy’s court here, and there is no excuse if Tottenham fail to tie Eriksen down to a new deal.
The club have not spent any money on players this summer, so there are clearly funds available to put towards a new deal for Eriksen.
Having not bought anyone in, keeping those already at the club happy becomes hugely important, and it would be criminal for the club to fail to reach an agreement here.
Breaking the wage ceiling is one thing, but following it up with more big contracts is the next step, and one which must be taken at some point soon.
If Eriksen ends up walking away from talks and enters next summer with just one year remaining, then Levy will face the wrath of every single Tottenham fan, most of whom are fed up with him after this summer anyway.
It is essential that these talks are wrapped up, and soon, or their could be serious trouble brewing in the white half of north London this season.