Tottenham Hotspur: Why Pape Matar Sarr deserves new six-year contract and when deal could be announced

Tottenham Hotspur are working on a new deal for Senegal midfielder Pape Matar Sarr after he became an integral member of Ange Postecoglou's team this season. Sarr has established himself as a starter when it looked at the beginning of the summer like he would be going out on loan. 

The Senegal international has played 19 times for the Lilywhites this season, more than any midfielder. He has two league goals but his overall impact has been his ability to hunt the ball and keep things simple, which has made him an indispensable member of the team. 

He scored the opener against Bournemouth over the weekend to set them on their way to a win before picking up a hamstring injury. Spurs boss confirmed the knock and said he hoped it would not keep him away from AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) this month.

Postecoglou said: "Pape felt his hamstring and he's emotional because he wants to go away with his national team. It's a big tournament for them. It's kind of the way our season has gone. He was so good again early in the game, apart from his goal, and then he got an injury. Disappointing for him, but I am hoping it is not too serious and he can still go away and contribute to his country."

He also commented on the injury to Argentine striker Alejo Veliz late in the game.

"Alejo was in a lot of pain and we'd already done our substitutions so we were trying to get it out to him to just lay down so we can get him off, said Postecoglou. "But it just shows the character of the boy because he knew we had no more substitutions and he just wanted to keep going. I'm not sure the extent of what he's done but we'll find out."

Why a new deal makes sense

Sarr is following in the footsteps of Destiny Udogie who signed a new deal until 2030 following a breakthrough in north London. The Italian left-back has been rewarded for his consistency and for how he has taken to life under the guidance of Postecoglou. 

Senegal midfielder is in the same boat as Udogie in so many ways, with the 21-year-old starting 17 of the 18 league games. He only started two league games before Australian manager Postecoglou walked through the door. 

Sarr joined Tottenham in the summer of 2021, as they beat off competition from across Europe to sign him from Metz, before loaning him back to the French club for the 2021-22 season.

Spurs are hoping to announce the new deal in the coming days even though they have to still decide if it should be before he leaves for the AFCON or after the tournament.