Tottenham target ‘Hurt and disappointed’ after Premier League club’s bid rejected
Romanian defender Andrei Ratiu finds himself at the center of a growing transfer saga after Rayo Vallecano president Raúl Martín Presa rejected an €18 million offer from an unnamed Premier League club.
The 27-year-old right-back, who has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur, reportedly feels “hurt and disappointed” by his club’s decision to block a potential move to England’s top flight.
The rejected bid creates an intriguing situation for Spurs manager Thomas Frank, who continues reshaping his squad after securing João Palhinha from Bayern Munich.
Ratiu’s profile as an attacking full-back with La Liga experience makes him an appealing option, though Tottenham face competition from Bundesliga sides Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg for his signature.
| Andrei Ratiu Career Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Villarreal | 2016-2021 |
| ADO Den Haag (loan) | 2020-2021 |
| Huesca | 2021-2023 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 2023-present |
Complicating negotiations is Villarreal’s substantial 50% sell-on clause, which reduces Rayo Vallecano’s incentive to accept anything below Ratiu’s €25 million release clause.
The defender’s modest wages in Spain suggest financial motivations could drive his desire for a Premier League move, where salaries typically dwarf La Liga earnings.
Rayo’s firm stance presents Tottenham with a dilemma: meet the full buyout clause or risk losing out to German suitors.
With Ratiu clearly eager for the move and now unsettled at his current club, this developing situation bears watching as Spurs look to strengthen their defensive options before the window closes.
The coming days will reveal whether the North London club was indeed the mystery bidder and if they’re prepared to increase their offer for a player whose frustration might yet force his current club’s hand.