Tottenham Hotspur have opened transfer discussions with a Real Madrid player who is willing to take a wage reduction to complete a move.
Tottenham have reportedly entered discussions with the representatives of a Real Madrid star who is prepared to accept a substantial wage reduction to help secure his next move.
Spurs face a pivotal test on Tuesday night as Newcastle United travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with both sides in desperate need of a turnaround. Thomas Frank’s team sit 15th in the Premier League after failing to win any of their last seven matches, a damaging run that has left them only six points above the relegation places.
Their struggles continued on Saturday with a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United, a result made worse by Cristian Romero’s first-half red card. The Spurs captain is now suspended for four matches, meaning Radu Dragusin is set to partner Micky van de Ven at the back. Tottenham can ill afford another defensive lapse against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side, despite the visitors also arriving on the back of three straight defeats, including a 3-2 loss to Brentford.
Frank will also be wary of Newcastle’s strong recent record against Spurs. The Magpies are unbeaten in their last five meetings across all competitions, winning four of those games, including a 2-0 Carabao Cup win earlier this season and a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park in December.
Both teams are dealing with significant injury problems. Tottenham remain without key creator James Maddison, while Destiny Udogie is set to miss four to five weeks after suffering a hamstring injury at Old Trafford.
Pedro Porro, Richarlison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus and Kevin Danso are all sidelined, and reports from Sweden suggest Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski could also face extended absences.
Amid these ongoing issues, Spurs are already looking ahead to the summer transfer window in a bid to avoid a repeat of the difficulties of recent seasons.
According to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has emerged as a potential target, particularly with speculation growing over Romero’s future at the club. It is claimed that Rüdiger’s representatives have held talks with several English sides, including Tottenham, as the defender prepares for a possible exit from Madrid when his contract expires in June.
Bailey adds that the German international is willing to accept a significant pay cut compared to his current wages in Spain in order to return to the Premier League. Intermediaries have reportedly approached Spurs regarding the conditions of a potential free transfer, alongside interest from other London clubs.
Chelsea, Rüdiger’s former club, were also contacted but are said to be unwilling to pursue a deal due to their policy of avoiding signings over the age of 30.
Despite being 32 and in the latter stages of his career, Rüdiger remains in contention for Germany’s World Cup squad under Julian Nagelsmann, increasing the urgency around resolving his club future. With non-Spanish clubs able to open pre-contract talks immediately, Tottenham are said to have been handed a chance to sign the two-time Champions League winner without a transfer fee.
