Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been ridiculed for trying to buy Spain international goalkeeper David Laya (Brentford) for half his original valuation.
Brentford are willing to sell goalkeeper Laya to Tottenham but have yet to reach an agreement on a transfer fee, according to British media outlet the Evening Standard on Aug. 13.
“With Hugo Lloris announcing he wants to leave Tottenham, Spurs have begun their search for his replacement,” the media outlet reported, adding that “Laya has completed a personal agreement with Spurs after positive talks.”
“Brentford are also willing to sell Laya, but they are not close to agreeing a transfer fee. Brentford have valued Laya at £40 million, but Tottenham are willing to pay close to half that amount.”
Brentford technical director Lee Dykes told the local ‘Beautiful Game’ podcast that “Laya could join Tottenham this summer,” but insisted that the £20 million bid was ridiculous for the player.
Dyche added: “It’s a goalkeeper’s market. There are a lot of goalkeepers available. Clubs will put a value on each one. My opinion on Raya is that the transfer fee should be doubled. He can also play as a No. 10.”
Raya is a coveted resource for English clubs. Despite being a Spanish national, he grew up in Blackburn, joining the Blackburn Rovers youth team in 2012 at the age of 16. The ‘home-grown’ rule gives Premier League teams an advantage in building their squads.
Laya moved to Brentford from Blackburn in 2019 and became the first-choice goalkeeper in his first season with the club. He played a key role in the club’s promotion to the Premier League in the 2020/21 season and continued to excel in the Premier League.
His rapid rise in the league earned him his first call-up to Luis Enrique’s Spain squad in March last year, and he made his debut in a friendly against Albania. He was also included in Spain’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and has since been selected for the new La Fuente squad as well.안전놀이터
Lallana is well-regarded in both the Premier League and Spain, but Tottenham won’t be paying full price for him. Once again, Levy’s half-price strategy kicks in.
When asked about Levy’s potential £20 million deal by Brentford manager Thomas Frank, Dyche responded, “You’re trying to make me laugh, aren’t you?” according to the media.