Despite impressing in their now finished UEFA Europa League run, Spurs are unlikely to make a deal for Carlos Vinicius in the summer. The burly forward signed from Benfica in the summer on a loan deal with an option to buy for a sum of around £36m. Given he has failed to fire in the Premier League, Spurs are unwilling – or incapable – of committing such huge funds to a player who plays a clear number two to Harry Kane.
Vinicius could be offered at a lower price in the region of around £15m, which Spurs might find more palatable. The player has impressed at times in European competition but has failed to get much of a shot domestically. Given the player has endured a nomadic career so far, he might wish to find a permanent home after impressing so much for Benfica in the season prior.
Therefore, he might choose to move on from the Premier League and return to Portugal. Having impressed enough to get a deal with Benfica for a fee of around €17m, it is believed the Lisbon giants want to see a full return on their payment on a player who was a key figure for them beforehand. His debut season in Portugal seen him score 24 goals across all competitions. His physique and his prowess with both feet and head made him a clear option for a backup for Harry Kane.
However, he has failed to use his physical presence in the Premier League when given a rare opportunity. Despite the positive words of present coach Jose Mourinho, it is unlikely that Spurs will look to push the button on a deal for a player who would become among the most expensive in their history.
Will Tottenham buy another striker?
It is believed that if Vinicius does not stay then another striker might sign. One option being linked is Danny Ings, who is entering into his final year of his Southampton contract. The England international would offer a robust forward option and a replacement for Kane when not fit, but it is believed he has doubts about being second-fiddle again. Having sat on the sidelines at Liverpool, Ings might not want to lose another year of an injury-hit career.
Despite his obvious quality, it appears that Spurs will look for a cheaper option that Vinicius who could offer a more consistent option upfront. His lack of goals in big games and also his inability to get a regular game domestically means that Spurs might baulk at the idea of paying a fee in the region expected for the Brazilian.
Benfica, for their part, would be happy to see the player return and would be able to make space in their forward line for the bulky Brazil forward. At the moment, though, it is unlikely that Vinicius will be given a chance to prove himself properly until the end of the season. With that in mind, a permanent return seems uncertain at best.
Leave a Reply