President tells Tottenham and Wolves they must pay £13m, otherwise star 'will be here until June'
12/18/2024 08:15 AM
Reports last week indicated that Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur were closing in on their first signing of 2025 already.
But hold your horses. Things are nowhere near as close as those initial claims had suggested.
What’s more, the rumours surrounding a potential departure from La Liga outfit Getafe for star centre-back Omar Alderete appear to be a little agent-driven.
Alderete's representatives have been offering their client around to a number of clubs. TBR understands that Wolves, Leicester, Crystal Palace have been offered Alderete. Ipswich Town have been made aware of the Paraguay international’s availability too, though it remains to be seen if any of those clubs take up the opportunity offered to them.
Tottenham are in the market for a left-sided centre-half. Spurs like Leeds United skipper Pascal Struijk, for instance.
And while Alderete may be an option which appeals – he is expected to cost less than £15 million after all – suggestions that Tottenham are on the verge of signing the Spain-based stopper are very wide of the mark.
Tottenham told they have to trigger Omar Alderete’s release clause
As far as Getafe president Angel Torres is concerned, meanwhile, Alderete is going nowhere in January. Well, not unless his release clause is triggered.
A clause reported to stand in the region of £13 million per Sport.
“The fans can rest assured that Alderete will be here until June,” Torres tells Marca. “He is happy. We are not going to touch the goalkeeper [department], defence or midfield unless someone pays the release clause.
“If two leave, two will come. We are not going to sell anyone [without the release clause being triggered]."
Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven suffered an injury set-back as Spurs lost 4-3 at home to Chelsea this month. Ben Davies has also struggled with fitness issues of his own of late. As such, Postecoglou started Archie Gray against Rangers and Southampton as a left-sided central defender.
A solution may be sought in January, then. Though with Leeds in the midst of a gruelling promotion battle, Alderete feels far more attainable than Struijk, particularly due to the size of his relatively minimal release clause.
Getafe want Bournemouth striker Enes Unal back in Spain
Angel Torres also confirmed that Getafe could look to bring a bonafide fans’ favourite back to the Estadio Coliseum.
Turkey striker Enes Unal scored 34 La Liga goals in just three seasons at Getafe. Since completing a £13 million move to AFC Bournemouth, the one-time Manchester City youngster has found goals far harder to come by, stuck behind Dominic Solanke and now Evanilson in Andoni Iraola’s pecking order.
Enes Unal did take his tally to four in Bournemouth colours on Monday night, however.
He belatedly announced himself to the Vitality Stadium crowd with the sort of Cristiano Ronaldo-influenced, knuckleball free-kick he once made a personal trademark at Getafe to salvage a late point against West Ham United.
“There is no other option. Even if we get [Borja] Mayoral back, we would bring in a winger or a forward,” Torres adds. “I hope [we can bring back Enes Unal].
“In football, anything is possible. But it is difficult"
