OPINION
Tottenham might not have brought in a single new player over the summer transfer window but that did not stop a number of names being heavily linked with a move to north London.
With the likes of Jack Grealish and Anthony Martial touted as potential new recruits for Mauricio Pochettino, it seemed clear that the Argentine boss was keen at reinforcing his options up top, which is likely why Fulham winger Ryan Sessegnon was among those listed as top targets.
BBC reports David Ornstein even reported that the Lilywhites had made a move for the 18-year-old sensation, offering Danny Rose as a makeweight for the youngster’s capture – a deal which obviously did not come off with the Cottagers.
Tottenham made Fulham an offer for Sessegnon several weeks ago, proposed a deal that would see Danny Rose go the other way – #THFC want to move Rose (and Alderweireld for that matter) out – but couldn’t reach agreement and Sessegnon now won’t be leaving #FFC this transfer window
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 8, 2018
After failing in summer, it would not be surprising to see Pochettino and his transfer team reignite a move at some point in the future, with the flyer having made a half-decent start to life in the Premier League following promotion last season.
However, it seems as though Fulham are wanting to ward off any suitors for his capture, with the Daily Mail claiming the Craven Cottage outfit are to start immediate talks over extending the sensation’s contract, giving him a big money deal to keep him at the club after postponing discussions in the opening stages of the new season.
Now, many might see this as a hurdle for a renewed raid from Tottenham, but a new deal is nothing for Spurs to worry about.
Firstly, Sessegnon only did not make the move away from Fulham because of promotion, staying loyal to his club after starring in the Championship, and you can be certain that were the Cottagers still in the second tier, the winger would not be.
Now the club’s Premier League position looks under threat at this early stage, with the leakiest defence leaving them floundering in the bottom three – and an inability to get away from there will only turn Sessegnon’s head to a potential exit in 2019.
Furthermore, while Fulham might be able to offer a new and improved deal, Spurs are some way above their London counterparts on the financial scales, and if it is money Sessegnon wants, then he will get much, much more by leaving.
Fulham want a new contract to protect their young star – but all it does is raise the price, not stop others from snapping him up, and as such there is no hurdle for Spurs.