Spurs prepared to let England winger leave to land Saints star
Published:
Some rumours really need invigorating from time to time and luckily the long-running saga concerning Morgan Schneiderlin’s Southampton future has taken on a fresh twist.
The list of admirers for the French international is extensive, but owing to his former mentor being in charge at Tottenham, White Hart Lane has always looked one of the most probable destinations.
Now it seems there is more meat on the bones of this potential switch given reports in the London Evening Standard which suggest Mauricio Pochettino is prepared to offer one of two makeweights to soften the blow for Saints.
The south coast club are believed to want £20m for their roving midfield general, but that figure could be checked by Spurs who are reportedly willing to send either Andros Townsend or Benjamin Stambouli in the opposite direction.
While Schneiderlin’s compatriot Stambouli would be a more natural replacement, the Lilywhites fringe player is firmly part of the specialist defensive midfielder fraternity, rather than the roving box-to-box player he’d be swapping clubs with.
Meanwhile, the Tottenham enigma that is Townsend is certainly the more stellar name in the mix, despite his mercurial presence in Pochettino’s squad.
A hero during his short England career so far, thanks to a burgeoning collection of wonder strikes, he remains a source of frustration at his club.
The Argentine tactician is the last in a long line of Spurs managers to grow impatient with Townsend’s direct style, where his penchant for shooting on sight often induces groans from the stands.
Perhaps Southampton chief Ronald Koeman will view the explosive wideman simply as a rough diamond who only requires polishing to gain some consistency, or the Dutchman may want neither north London cast off.
However, despite his employers at St.Mary’s remaining steadfast over Schneiderlin’s future last summer, wherever the destination is, his moving on seems inevitable in the forthcoming transfer window.
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