Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to sell Troy Parrott to AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2024 looked straightforward at the time, but the details of that transfer are now becoming far more interesting as the striker continues his rise.
Spurs inserted a 20% sell-on clause into the deal, a move that shows they were not ready to completely sever ties with a player once viewed as one of the brightest talents in their academy. With Parrott’s career gathering momentum, this small detail could soon become incredibly valuable.
Parrott’s journey over the past few years has been anything but smooth. Once seen as the natural heir to Harry Kane, he carried enormous expectations on his young shoulders.
Tottenham supporters had high hopes after glimpses of his potential, but his path to the first team was blocked by a combination of competition, inexperience, and the club’s constant push for immediate results.
As a result, Parrott found himself drifting through five different loan spells, each offering mixed success. By the time he returned to Tottenham in 2024, it was clear he needed a permanent move to truly ignite his career.
Tottenham eventually decided to accept a £6.7 million offer from AZ Alkmaar. At the time, many felt it was a fair price for a player who had failed to establish himself in the Premier League.
But Spurs’ inclusion of a 20% sell-on clause suggested they still believed Parrott had the potential to rise again. They may not have been ready to give him a long-term role in North London, but they were smart enough to recognise that his story was far from over.
That prediction is now proving accurate, because Parrott has taken his opportunity in the Netherlands with incredible confidence. Despite dealing with injuries this season, his goalscoring record has been outstanding.
With 13 goals in 14 appearances across all competitions, he has shown a level of finishing and maturity that Tottenham rarely saw during his early years.
His form last season was strong as well, with 20 goals in 47 matches, but this year he has jumped to another level. His sharp movement, calmness in front of goal, and renewed belief have made him one of the most dangerous forwards in Dutch football.
His impact at international level has been just as dramatic. Parrott has played a key role in Ireland’s sudden resurgence, helping them secure three straight victories and pushing the national team into a playoff spot for the 2026 World Cup.
Only weeks earlier, qualification looked almost impossible, yet Parrott’s performances helped transform the mood around the team. His goals and work rate have turned him into a national hero, and the timing of his rise could not be better for both club and country.
With this kind of form, the £6.7 million fee Tottenham accepted is beginning to look like a bargain. It’s no surprise that Premier League clubs are already monitoring him, with Everton among the teams linked with a move.
If a bidding war develops down the line, Spurs will be glad they kept the sell-on clause. Twenty percent of a future transfer especially if he moves for a significant fee could hand Tottenham an easy profit without needing to take any risk.
Many Spurs fans have wondered whether the club also included a buyback clause when they sold him. According to reports from Football London, Tottenham did not secure an official buyback option in the deal.
However, the situation is still favourable for Spurs. Because Parrott is a homegrown player and because they hold the 20% sell-on clause, they would likely have the chance to re-sign him for a reduced fee compared to other clubs.
It wouldn’t be a discount in the traditional sense, but the sell-on clause lowers their effective cost, making any future negotiation far less expensive for them than for rival teams.
Tottenham have spent the past two seasons searching for a new long-term striker to replace Kane. The responsibility has been shared between Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, and Randal Kolo Muani, but none have truly convinced supporters that they can be the permanent solution.
That is why Parrott’s surge in form naturally brings questions about whether Spurs might revisit their decision in the future.
If Parrott continues scoring at this remarkable rate and keeps improving with every game, Tottenham may find themselves tempted to bring him back to North London.
His growth abroad has given him the confidence and experience he once lacked, and his progress is forcing many to wonder whether Spurs gave up on him too early. His revival has been one of the most impressive stories in recent years, and if it continues, Troy Parrott may very well find his way back into Tottenham’s plans sooner than expected.
