Your Tottenham digest on Monday, March 7.
Bryan Gil transfer update
Valencia coach José Bordalas confirmed in an interview with El Mercantil Valenciano that it will be tough for his side to sign Tottenham winger Bryan Gil on a permanent transfer in the summer.
The 21-year-old, who is currently on-loan at the Spanish club, has one assist in his five appearances in La Liga so far this season.
The Spanish international is expected to return to Spurs in the summer, with Bordalas confirming there is no buy option in the loan deal for Gil.
He said: “We know the difficulty and we know that it will be more difficult with Bryan [Gil] because he does not have a purchase option.”
It means that the future of the Spaniard could still lie in north London once he makes his return, though it could also depend on the transfer activity of Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte going forward.
Pundits clash over Antonio Conte decision
Gary Neville and Micah Richards disagreed over Manchester United’s decision to not attempt to hire Antonio Conte before the Italian joined Tottenham earlier in the season.
The Red Devils have struggled in their attempt of a top four finish this season, most recently losing 4-1 against city rivals Manchester City.
Richards believes that the side should have gone for Spurs boss Conte rather than Ralf Rangnick. "They should’ve gone for Conte," Richards stated on Sky Sports after the Manchester Derby.
"Conte was available before he went to Spurs, he was the best available manager at the time, and just because he doesn’t fit the ‘Man United way’ he didn’t get in?
"The Man United way doesn’t exist anymore, you don’t win any trophies! Conte’s a winner, he’s come from Inter Milan, do United not want winners now? He wins! He wins!"
Gary Neville heavily disagreed, causing the two to clash over the topic.
Read the full report here.
Tottenham transfer error laid bare by Steven Gerrard
Tottenham have been heavily linked with a move for Philippe Coutinho for the past few transfer windows, but missed out on the playmaker to former teammate of the Brazilian in Steven Gerrard and his Aston Villa team.
His form since making the loan switch to the Midlands club has been back to some of his best, something that his manager has been praising.
Gerrard said on Match of the Day after their 4-0 win over Southampton on Saturday: “We've got Phil [Coutinho] back fit and in a really good place - he was back to his Liverpool form today and he was a touch above. The other players have got a lift from him
"It is about having players running in behind for him and Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings were untouchable at times today too.
"When Phil is in the mood he is a world class player. He probably finished my career a couple of years early, he's the reason I've got screws in my knees and groins!"
It perhaps puts some perspective on Spurs’ transfer decisions, having missed out on the player in January.
Read the full report here.
