Opinion: Tottenham’s top ten most expensive signings – Can Ndombele prove a worthy record buy?

Tottenham Hotspur went out and broke their transfer record in the summer as they brought in Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon for £53.8m (BBC).

Ndombele has gone on to become a regular in the first team and has already made quite the impact in North London.

The midfielder has played eight, scored two, and assisted one in the Premier League, as well as assisting two in three games for Spurs in the Champions League (Transfer Markt).

However, can Ndombele go on to become a worthy record signing? Let’s take a look at the complete top ten to find out (Wikipedia) –

Before Ndombele came along, current Spurs defender, Davinson Sanchez was the record signing at £42m. However, the Colombian has not yet established himself as a consistent first choice at the club.

Erik Lamela set Spurs back £30m in 2013 when he signed from Roma, as he has gone on to play 198 games and score 32 goals for the club. However, injuries and inconsistent form have hampered his career in North London.

Moussa Sissoko also came in at £30m for Tottenham in 2016, enduring a woeful first year or two at the club. However, he has quickly become one of the club’s best and most consistent players.

Roberto Soldado set Tottenham back £26m in 2013, but failed to ever get going in North London.

Lucas Moura cost Spurs £23m from PSG in 2018 and repaid every penny with that Champions League hat-trick alone. However, he has never been able to earn a consistent starting spot under Pochettino.

Heung Min Son cost Tottenham £22m in 2015 and will surely go down as one of the best value-for-money signings in the club’s history.

Vincent Janssen and Paulinho both set the club back £17m in 2016 and 2013 respectively, but neither ever left much of a mark on Spurs.

Luka Modric and Darren Bent had very contrasting careers, but both came into the North London club for £16.5m just a year apart from each other. Modric has gone on to become one of the world’s best midfielders, while Bent was always a good and steady player for Spurs.

So, can Ndombele top all of these players? Talent-wise, I believe he has all the makings to reach the kind of level Modric did and has in the game.

I would say that the Frenchman definitely seems worth his price tag on first viewing and I can only see him kicking on and increasing in value through the years.

Top Ten Tottenham Transfers –

1. Tanguy Ndombele – £53.8m
2. Davinson Sanchez – £42m
3. Erik Lamela – £30m
4. Moussa Sissoko – £30m
5. Roberto Soldado – £26m
6. Lucas Moura – £23m
7. Heung Min Son – £22m
8. Vincent Janssen – £17m
9. Paulinho – £17m
10. Luka Modric – £16.5m
11. Darren Bent – £16.5m

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