Cheap deal for prolific Ligue 1 striker is ideal for Spurs
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Having already ruffled the feathers of West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace over the summer, the chances of Tottenham’s Daniel Levy returning to the Midlands club and signing top-striking target Saido Berahino on the cheap are slim.
Peace isn’t willing to let his England U21 international leave for anything less than £25m according to reports.
It was Spurs’ scrimping during summer negotiations for the forward that caused the tension in relations between the two chairmen, so it is understandable that the north London honcho is pursuing other targets.
The Daily Mirror suggests that French striker Wissam Ben Yedder of Toulouse is Spurs’ alternative to Berahino at a far more manageable price of £7.5m. If that is the case, then the 25-year-old Sarcelles native is by far the better deal for the Lilywhites.
For starters, Ben Yedder has developed into a proven goalscorer in the French league. He has scored 14 times or more in each of the last three domestic campaigns for TFC and has seven to his name in 18 appearances so far this term.
Compared to Berahino, who has reached double figures in a league season just once in his career, Ben Yedder appears far better placed to impact Spurs’ season on a more consistent basis.
The Lilywhites’ need for a striker to support lone-wolf Harry Kane is well publicised, but it’s vital that the club don’t spend big on an impulse buy and get the right man for the job. If the choice is between Ben Yedder and Berahino, then it should be a simple one.
Although the Frenchman would need an initial bedding-in period to adjust to his new surroundings, his reported price makes him a virtual risk-free purchase.
Young enough to be sold on for next to no loss should he not work out, Ben Yedder is also far more likely to accept a role as Kane’s deputy than Berahino, whose attitude has been questioned in the past.
With the race for the Champions League places hotting up, Spurs are rated as 8/15 chances to return to the competition next season by Ladbrokes. They currently sit fourth, two points above Manchester United.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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