Spurs target could have signed for £17m this summer

Tottenham Hotspur had their sights set on a promising talent this summer, but circumstances have since changed, leading to a significant shift in the player’s market value. Loic Bade, a French defender who was on Tottenham’s radar, has recently committed his future to Sevilla by signing a new contract, which has substantially increased his release clause.

Earlier this year, in February, Bade himself confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur had expressed interest in signing him. He shared this during an interview with Estadio Deportivo, where he mentioned that it was flattering to be noticed by such a big club like Tottenham. However, despite the interest, Bade remained focused on his current responsibilities at Sevilla, emphasizing the importance of concentrating on his performances on the pitch.

Fast forward to September, and it appears that Bade’s commitment to Sevilla has only grown stronger. The 22-year-old defender has now signed a contract extension with the Spanish club, which will keep him at Sevilla until July 2029. This new contract comes with a substantial release clause of €50 million (£42 million), a significant increase from the €20 million (£17 million) price tag that was reportedly discussed during the summer transfer window.

This development follows reports from Gianluca Di Marzio that Sevilla had set an asking price of €20 million for Bade during the summer, with other clubs like VfB Stuttgart and AS Roma also showing interest. However, with the new contract in place, Tottenham and any other interested parties would now have to pay significantly more if they still wish to pursue the French U23 international.

For Tottenham, this outcome might not be entirely negative. The club already has a strong focus on nurturing its young defensive talents, and the signing of Bade could have complicated their development. Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham’s manager, has been clear about his desire to create a pathway for the club’s promising young defenders, Luka Vuskovic and Ashley Phillips, to break into the first team

Postecoglou recently spoke about this in an interview with Football London, where he explained that signing another central defender at this point could block the progress of these young players. He highlighted the potential of both Vuskovic and Phillips, who are considered future stars for Tottenham. The club even managed to fend off competition from Barcelona to secure Vuskovic, while Phillips has been widely tipped to become a standout player.

Given this context, Tottenham’s decision not to pursue Bade any further seems to align with their broader strategy of developing young talent from within. By focusing on the growth of Vuskovic and Phillips, Tottenham is investing in the long-term success of the club, ensuring that these players have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

In summary, while Tottenham Hotspur initially showed interest in signing Loic Bade, his recent contract extension with Sevilla, along with the significant increase in his release clause, has likely ended any realistic possibility of a transfer. For Tottenham, this may ultimately prove to be a positive outcome, as it allows the club to continue focusing on the development of its own young defensive talents, who are poised to play important roles in the club’s future.