Sky Sports pundit Andy Townsend has claimed that Christian Eriksen has already decided that he wants to quit Tottenham in the summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old will enter the final 12 months of his contract once this season draws to an end and the Times has reported that talks over a new deal are now at an impasse.
It is understood that Spurs will not allow the Denmark international to run down his contract and Townsend believes that he could be the first out of the door once the transfer window re-opens.
“I think the player’s already deciding he’s going to go. I think he’s going to go,” Townsend told Sky Sports’ The Debate podcast on February 7 [11:22 onwards].
“Once a player gets to this point, I don’t think you’re playing contract poker with your club. I think you’ve already made the decision of what you’re doing.
“I think Eriksen has enjoyed his time at Spurs, and yes there is a new dawn just around the corner with this stadium, but you’re always going to get one or two that are going to come out of there.
“I think he’ll be the first to go.”
OPINION
Tottenham fans won’t like to admit it, but Townsend is probably right here. If Eriksen really wanted to stay at Tottenham then he would surely have signed a new deal by now – or at least made progress in talks – and surely Daniel Levy would have caved in and offered the playmaker what he wants because there’s no way Spurs will be able to find someone better than him to replace him. Eriksen is one of the best players in the Premier League and in Europe, and the reported interest from Real Madrid is completely warranted. The former Ajax ace has made 31 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham this term, scoring six goals and supplying 10 assists in the process. It is really hard to replace someone who is so key to the side and hopefully Townsend is wrong, for the sake of Spurs, but we agree with the former Chelsea striker.