Tottenham did not manage to land all of their targets during the winter transfer window.
Spurs were able to sign Antonin Kinsky and Kevin Danso on permanent deals from Slavia Prague and RC Lens respectively – while Mathys Tel arrived on loan from Bayern Munich on deadline day.
However, Ange Postecoglou wanted another central defender in N17 along with Danso.
Tottenham bid £70m for Marc Guehi – an offer Crystal Palace rejected – before Spurs tried to sign Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea.
Johan Lange also bid for Maxime Esteve of Burnley, but ultimately, a second centre-back did not arrive before the deadline.
There was another player Tottenham targeted during the winder window in Ansu Fati – who could now be much easier to sign in the summer after a development at Barcelona.
Hansi Flick drops Ansu Fati from the Barcelona squad
TBR Football understand Tottenham showed interest in Fati before eventually landing Tel.
An agreement never materialised, but Hansi Flick has now dropped the Spain international from his squad in Catalonia, which could suggest the German is trying to facilitate an exit for the 22-year-old this summer.
After Fati was axed from Sunday’s 4-1 win over Sevilla, the Barcelona boss said: “Ansu Fati is out due to technical decision tonight. I’ve talked to him honestly. He’s working and he’s getting closer to the team.
“I spoke to Ansu Fati quite frankly. It’s not that you speak to the coach and then everything changes the next day, but he’s on the right track. I’ve seen a lot of moments where he’s at his best and that’s a level we’re trying to reach again.”
The Barcelona No.10 has made just one start across La Liga, the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey so far this season – so he does not appear to have much of a future under Flick whatsoever.
Ange Postecoglou could have two wonderkids at Tottenham who can play together in Ansu Fati and Mathys Tel
It was not long ago that Fati and Tel were widely regarded as two of the most precocious talents around.
Spain and Barcelona have got some player on their hands…👏
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) September 6, 2020
17-year-old Ansu Fati scores his first goal for the Spanish national team with this incredible finish! 🎯😍pic.twitter.com/0OWNpSr6uB
Bayern Munich even spent £25m to sign the latter from Rennes at the age of 17 – whereas Barcelona saw enough star potential in Fati to present him with the iconic No.10 shirt vacated by Lionel Messi in 2021.
Barcelona also tied the Spaniard down to a €1bn (£832m) release clause.
Of course, Tottenham fans are running out of patience, and would prefer to sign ready-made stars instead of talented prospects with huge potential, although the chance to pair Tel and Fati together in attack is a gamble worth taking, as both still have plenty of time on their side.