'Desperation' - Tottenham slammed for monster £70m transfer bid amid Chelsea and Newcastle interest

Tottenham were able to strengthen during the January transfer window, especially at the back where they made two signings to help keep opposing teams out of the net.

They signed goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky early in the window to help replace the injured Guglielmo Vicario, who is set to return in the next week or so. Furthermore, they signed Lens defender Kevin Danso on loan, beating Wolves to his signature.

However, despite that, Cristian Romero remains out with a hamstring injury, and Radu Dragusin has undergone surgery on his ACL after suffering an injury during Spurs’ 3-0 Europa League win against Elfsborg.

They were reported to have made a £70m transfer bid for a Premier League centre-back during the January window, but it has now been criticised as a PR stunt by a former Premier League CEO.

Tottenham’s Marc Guehi bid made in “desperation”

Tottenham are said to have made a transfer bid for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who was subject to several bids during the summer transfer window from Newcastle United, all of which were rejected. Palace also rejected Spurs’ bid for the England international, who has made 23 Premier League appearances for Oliver Glasner’s side this season.

Speaking to Football Insider, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has claimed that the move looked like a PR stunt by Tottenham owner Daniel Levy. He said: “The pressure has come on him [Levy], and this Guehi move seemed to be a statement – but it didn’t get done.

“You would be angry as a Spurs fan, seeing that there was £70million behind the sofa when the problems have gone on for the last few weeks. It should have been prepared for and sorted out in the few months before the window.

“It did smack of desperation. It looked like a PR stunt, to be honest. There are some questions about a £70million deal like that. It’s the soap opera that is Spurs, and they are the gift that keeps on giving at the moment.”

Tottenham expected to go back in for Guehi in the summer

Despite Wyness’ comments, Spurs are reportedly expected to try and sign Guehi again during the summer transfer window, when Palace would be more likely to consider offers for the 24-year-old.

Chelsea also are keen to sign Guehi, with reports linking them to the former Stamford Bridge academy product early in the January transfer window. Palace will be able to drive up his price due to the demand that Guehi is currently commanding.

Liverpool have been formerly linked to signing the centre-back too, and seeing as Virgil van Dijk is yet to sign a contract extension at Anfield, Arne Slot could view the Palace star as a replacement for the Dutchman. Tottenham centre-back Ben Davies’ contract is set to expire in the summer transfer window, and so they will likely look to bring in more depth at the back, especially considering their injury struggles under Postecoglou this season.