Journalist says Spurs are still ‘pushing hard’ to sign Brazilian in next 48 hours
Journalist Rudy Galetti has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur have not yet given up hope of signing Porto winger Pepe.
When A Bola reported that the Premier League team had made an offer of €45 million (£38.5 million) upfront plus a further €15 million (£12.8 million) in add-ons for the winger, which was rejected by Porto, the rumors linking Pepe with a move to Tottenham first surfaced a week ago.
According to the report, Spurs were informed by the Portuguese club that they would have to pay the winger’s €75 million (£64.4 million) release clause in order to retain his services.
A few days later, Mercado Azul reported that the 26-year-old’s agent was attempting to find a “solution” for his client ahead of the transfer deadline.
The rumors surrounding Pepe’s future have subsided in recent days, and during the past 24 hours, a number of media outlets have claimed that Brennan Johnson, Ansu Fati, and Johan Bakayoko are the only three wide forwards Spurs are interested in signing (Sky Sports).
Pepe interest is still alive at Tottenham Hotspur
Galetti has now taken to social media to state that Tottenham are still ‘pushing hard’ to land the Porto star.
The journalist reports that the Dragons are refusing to enter into any talks with Spurs and are continuing to demand that the player’s release clause be met.
For that reason, Galetti adds that the deal is a ‘a very complicated’ one for Tottenham to complete.
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Brennan Johnson’s Tottenham transfer to go down to the wire
The last minutes of deadline day may decide whether or not the Nottingham Forest striker joins Spurs.
Brennan Johnson is still being discussed by Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, but because of the big price difference, it’s likely that a deal won’t be reached until the very last minutes of the transfer window.
The two views are now very far apart, but the situation is moderated by the fact that Daniel Levy and Evangelos Marinakis, the two individuals involved, are two of the Premier League’s toughest negotiators.
Forest had already set a price of £40m, although Brentford have already gone to that only to get rebuffed. Marianakis is understood to see the west London club as a direct rival.
The player himself is open to Brentford but his first preference is Spurs. Johnson wants the deal but is obviously prepared to be professional about it.
Spurs have already returned to the conversation when a deal to buy Barcelona’s Ansu Fati fell through, but they are still about £10 million short. Instead, because Brighton was more ready to comply to the Catalan club’s requirements, a deal for the winger was reached.
Johnson has long been a favorite of Ange Postecoglou, who also wants to close the deal, while Spurs continue to show interest in Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace. However, he would probably be far more expensive than Johnson.
Spurs have already returned to the conversation when a deal to buy Barcelona’s Ansu Fati fell through, but they are still about £10 million short. Instead, because Brighton was more ready to comply to the Catalan club’s requirements, a deal for the winger was reached.
Johnson has long been a favorite of Ange Postecoglou, who also wants to close the deal, while Spurs continue to show interest in Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace. However, he would probably be far more expensive than Johnson. Rob Page, the manager of Wales, included the striker in his most recent team for a friendly against South Korea and a crucial Euro 2024 qualifying match in Latvia. Page has praised the 22-year-old’s possible transfer but has cautioned against any Harry Kane analogies.
“Brendan has a strong support system, in my opinion. I know his father (David), who used to play, so he has experienced everything firsthand. A young man needs that network. I don’t think he’ll let it get to him. He won’t change and will remain sensible.
“You don’t go into a club expecting to fill somebody’s else’s boots. He’s a very different player to Harry and, if he goes there, it is on his own ability and what he can offer to the team.”
