Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on the future of Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon.
What’s the talk?
Speaking in a recent episode of the Here We Go podcast (via This is Futbol), the transfer insider claimed that, with the 25-year-old having been linked with a move to both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the summer transfer window, the reported interest from Spain is indeed accurate.
Romano went on to state that, while the Catalan side are yet to open negotiations with Tottenham regarding a deal for Spanish international, Xavi’s outfit have made initial enquiries concerning the full-back, while Madrid possess a buyback clause for the defender, believed to be worth €40m (£33.5m).
Speaking about the interest in Reguilon, the journalist said: “Many clubs are interested in him, you know, because we had rumours from Catalonia about Barcelona and it’s true Barcelona are asking about him.
“I can’t say negotiation. I can’t say bid. We are not at this stage. But [they’re] just asking about the situation, enquiring about the situation. But they know, Barcelona, and other clubs that want him that there is a clause, a buyback clause for Real Madrid. It’s €40m.”
Conte will be buzzing
While Reguilon is undoubtedly a talented footballer, it would nevertheless be a difficult argument to make that Tottenham’s £32m signing of the left-back has so far worked out as the club would have initially hoped.
Indeed, over his 27 Premier League appearances last season, the £25.2m-rated Spaniard was distinctly average, helping his side keep seven clean sheets, registering three assists and creating four big chances, as well as making an average of 1.2 interceptions, 1.7 tackles, 34.4 passes and winning 4.3 duels per game.
These returns saw the £68k-per-week defender earn a below-par seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.74, ranking him as Tottenham’s tenth-worst player in the top flight of English football.
Things have hardly improved for the player who Jonathan Woodgate dubbed “horrendous” over his 23 league outings this season, with the 25-year-old losing his place in Antonio Conte’s starting XI to Ryan Sessegnon, as well as turning in a number of extremely disappointing performances – none more so than in the 3-1 win over West Ham United last time out.
Indeed, following this fixture, Spurs insider John Wenham lambasted the left-back’s display, stating:
“He’s so average it’s untrue. I always go back to these constant rumours about Barcelona or Real Madrid being interested in him. There’s always stuff about them paying a premium for him, it’s nonsense. He’s just not that good. Against Manchester United, he didn’t offer anything. Against West Ham was the same.
“For me, he is the worst of the bunch. He wasted so many chances against West Ham. You can absolutely see why Conte kept playing Sessegnon over him until he got injured. He wastes so many good crossing opportunities. He was very, very poor [against West Ham]. It’s probably his worst game for Tottenham.”
As such, should Barcelona and Madrid indeed be willing to part with £33.5m for Reguilon this summer, it would undoubtedly be something that will leave Conte buzzing, as, unfortunately for the defender, he does not appear to be of the standard required for Tottenham.
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