(Reuters) – Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou stated that the club would not spend 100 million pounds ($128.57 million) on a single player, as they prepare for their upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa on Sunday.
During Postecoglou’s first transfer window last year, Spurs acquired forward Brennan Johnson for 50 million pounds and midfielder James Maddison for 40 million pounds. They also brought in forward Timo Werner on loan and defender Radu Dragusin in January.
With 10 new signings under Postecoglou already, Tottenham is expected to continue making deals in the upcoming close season. They recently signed 18-year-old Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who will join the team in July.
“I don’t think we’re anywhere near where we want to be. It probably will take a little bit more than three (transfer) windows to get there for sure,” Postecoglou told reporters on Friday.
“I don’t think we are in a position to spend 100 million pounds on a player. That is not the case and I don’t think it will ever be the case for the club.
“Our competitors are (spending), irrespective of the positions (they are in)…I have always felt with those things it is not what you spend, it is how you spend it.”
Chelsea, currently in 11th place in the standings, splurged 115 million pounds on midfielder Moises Caicedo in the last close season, surpassing the record 106 million pound fee they paid for midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January 2023.
When asked why Tottenham would not match the spending of their competitors, Postecoglou cited financial reasons. He expressed that if he had a budget of 100 million pounds, he would prefer to acquire two players worth 50 million pounds each.
Postecoglou’s team is currently trailing fourth-placed Villa by five points, with a Champions League spot at stake. However, they have a game in hand to potentially close the gap.
($1 = 0.7778 pounds)
(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru. Editing by Sam Holmes)
