Report: Tottenham could now be close to agreeing move for £208k/wk “superstar”
The final days of the transfer window have taken a dramatic turn for Tottenham Hotspur, leaving the club’s leadership scrambling to recover after suffering a significant setback.
In a surprising late development, their long-standing pursuit of Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze has collapsed after North London rivals Arsenal swooped in to secure the player’s signature.
For weeks, Tottenham appeared to be making steady progress in their efforts to bring Eze to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Negotiations with Crystal Palace had reached an advanced stage, with both personal terms and a basic agreement between the clubs seemingly in place. The deal looked all but finalized until Arsenal entered the picture almost at the last moment.
The Gunners’ sudden move came in response to an injury setback for Kai Havertz, prompting them to accelerate their own interest in Eze.
Their offer of £60 million upfront plus £7.5 million in additional payments matched Palace’s requirements, but the decisive factor proved to be the player’s own childhood connection to Arsenal.
Having grown up as a Gunners supporter and spent time in their academy system, Eze ultimately chose the Emirates Stadium over Tottenham’s project.
This disappointing outcome leaves Tottenham facing renewed urgency in their search for creative reinforcements.
The need for attacking additions had already become pressing following James Maddison’s serious ACL injury and Son Heung-min’s departure to LAFC. Losing out on their primary target so late in the window compounds these existing challenges.
In response to this setback, Tottenham have turned their attention to alternative options, with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo emerging as a potentially exciting solution.
According to reports from Spain, the Brazilian forward finds himself outside of Xabi Alonso’s plans at the Bernabéu, creating an opportunity for other clubs to secure his services.
The most intriguing aspect of this potential deal involves the proposed structure. Real Madrid, initially demanding £86 million for a permanent transfer, have reportedly softened their stance and would now consider an initial loan arrangement.
This shift in position makes the move more accessible for Tottenham, who would be willing to cover Rodrygo’s substantial £208,000 weekly wages in full.
The main remaining obstacle concerns the inclusion of an option or obligation to make the move permanent.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez ideally wants guaranteed payment of the full transfer fee, but may need to accept a temporary deal that delays the financial aspects until 2026.
For Rodrygo himself, the opportunity for more consistent playing time represents the primary motivation for considering a move. Despite contributing 14 goals and 11 assists across all competitions last season, the 24-year-old finds himself seeking a more prominent role elsewhere.
His technical quality and versatility across attacking positions would offer Tottenham exactly the kind of creative spark they need following their disappointing near-miss with Eze.
The coming days will prove crucial in determining whether Tottenham can successfully pivot from their transfer disappointment to secure an exciting alternative.
The potential arrival of a player of Rodrygo’s caliber would not only address immediate squad needs but also demonstrate the club’s ambition and ability to respond positively to setbacks.
As the window approaches its conclusion, Tottenham’s recruitment team faces the challenging task of balancing short-term needs with long-term planning.
The Rodrygo opportunity presents an intriguing solution, offering both immediate quality and potential future value, though the final details of any agreement will require careful negotiation between all parties involved.
Potential Impact Signing: Rodrygo’s Recent Performance
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 42 | 14 | 11 | 2,893 |
| 2023-24 | 47 | 13 | 8 | 3,127 |
| 2022-23 | 51 | 15 | 9 | 3,405 |
The statistics demonstrate Rodrygo’s consistent contribution at the highest level, with strong output despite often operating in a competitive environment with rotation.
His ability to maintain solid numbers across multiple seasons suggests he could thrive with the increased responsibility and playing time that a move to Tottenham would likely provide.
For manager Thomas Frank, securing a player of Rodrygo’s technical quality and big-game experience would provide valuable flexibility in addressing the creative void left by Maddison’s injury.
The Brazilian’s ability to operate across the front line or in attacking midfield roles would give Frank multiple tactical options as Tottenham prepare to compete on multiple fronts this season.
The final outcome of these negotiations will reveal much about Tottenham’s ambition and their ability to respond effectively to transfer market challenges.
While the disappointment of missing out on Eze will undoubtedly linger, the opportunity to secure a talent like Rodrygo could ultimately prove to be an even more significant acquisition for the club’s long-term development.