Noel Whelan believes that Tottenham Hotspur would be tempted to sell Cameron Carter-Vickers on a cut-price deal as their summer rebuild intensifies.
The Lowdown: Tottenham Hotspur gear up for 2021/22
Looking towards the 2021/22 campaign, many Spurs diehards will be eager to see how newly-appointed manager Nuno Espirito Santo goes about regenerating the squad following a disappointing seventh-placed finish last term.
Whilst acquiring high-quality talent in order to achieve this will take precedence, offloading fringe players to accumulate transfer funds might also be on the mind of the Portuguese coach.
Having never held down a place in the Tottenham defence, American international Carter-Vickers would seem to fall into the latter category.
The Latest: Whelan tips Tottenham to cut Carter-Vickers loose
Amid reported interest from Newcastle United and Celtic in the 23-year-old’s services, former Leeds United striker Whelan reckons that Nuno could be tempted to part ways with the defender in an interview with Football Insider, stating:
“I think when a player has not been playing at the club that owns him, it looks to me they’re looking to get him out.
“He’s not going to make the grade in the Premier League with Tottenham. But he’ll also be on big wages.
“It makes sense to try and get a player out of the club permanently, no matter what that is. Get him off the wage bill and recoup what they’ve already paid.
“£5million probably would do that I would have thought, possibly even less. Then Tottenham have freed up some wages in a position where they can strengthen as well.
“I think Nuno Espirito Santo will be thinking the same thing. He needs to cut the squad down”.
The Verdict: Right time for both player and club to part ways
Whelan correctly illustrates the need for Tottenham to streamline their squad ahead of pre-season.
Loaned out to Bournemouth in 2020/21, Carter-Vickers made 26 appearances, chipping in with one goal and one assist [Transfermarkt]. Showing his domineering influence at the back, he averaged an impressive 3.6 clearances per game across the season [WhoScored].
Despite these applaudable traits, the 1.83m (6 foot) ace has only ever made four senior appearances for his current employers [Transfermarkt]. Needing to get out and play regularly at a pivotal stage in his career, the 23-year-old could have two attractive options in Tyneside and Glasgow to feature frequently at a high level.
Don’t be surprised if he and Tottenham amicably go their separate ways before the summer transfer window shuts.
In other news, Tottenham Hotspur have performed a surprise U-turn on the future of a key player.